Take good care of compounds, warns DBKK

THREE Luyang rate-payers have been asked to take better care of their compounds to ensure that their homes do not become a public nuisance or potential breeding ground for harmful pests, including rats, snakes and Aedes mosquitoes.

Notices from City Hall to this affect were issued to them, following inspections involving 18 homes in Taman Tsun Kiong and Taman Golden City which were carried out on Tuesday.

A spokeswoman for the City Hall’s Health and Environment Department (HED) said the former neighbourhood was also fogged that same afternoon.

“Mosquito larvae was spotted on the surface of the fluids inside some containers at two homes there,” she said.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Sabah revenue hits RM6.97 billion: Hajiji says GRS State Government may see full term

Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government continued its momentum in managing the economy in line with the commitment and spirit of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) when it posted record high state revenue of RM6.973 billion last year.

“Samples from these receptacles were taken by personnel from the Kota Kinabalu Health Office (KKHO) who were present at the time.”

She said the rate-payers were given pointers on how to prevent mosquito habitats from forming inside their premises.

Flyers on this matter were also distributed in the neighbourhood.

She said no compounds were issued by either agency during the check which was part of an “Ops Bersepadu Menangani Wabak Dengue (Joint Operation to Fight Dengue)”.

KK Health office staff taking a sample of the fluid on a container inside a home in Taman Tsun Kiong.

Three KKHO officers and five City Hall inspectors participated in this exercise, according to her.

“The latter carried out ‘larvae-ciding’ while our staff performed fogging around the neighbourhood at 5pm.”

The spokeswoman said another HED team went to Taman Golden City earlier that same day to check on the condition of an unoccupied home.

“Our staff noted that the premises had not been maintained in a long time as the grass inside the compound was overgrown. “Some discarded furniture and a water tank were also seen lying haphazardly in the car porch.”

She said action was later taken to trace the homeowner’s details.

City Hall staff fogging this part of Taman Tsun Kiong.

“A notice, in the individual’s name was left at the premises a day later. “The rate-payer was asked to tend to the greenery on the grounds and dispose of any unwanted items, including any receptacles in which rainwater might collect.”

She said he/she would be given a grace-period to comply with these instructions.

“Further action could be taken against the homeowner if our requirements are not met.”

The spokeswoman said rate-payers who were concerned about possible dengue outbreaks in their neighbourhoods could write to City Hall about this matter. She urged them to submit a letter to the Mayor asking for pest-control measures to be implemented in their respective areas.

“Their requests will be duly considered, with City Hall enlisting the assistance of the KKHO to determine if there is indeed a profusion of mosquitoes along their housing roads.”

KK Health office staff use a mist blower to conduct ‘larvaciding’ inside another home.

“Should this prove to be true, then we will arrange to have their neighbourhoods fogged.”

She said City Hall generally did this at locations which were designated as “red zones” for dengue or in places where previous outbreaks had occurred.

She said fogging was carried out according to a fixed schedule at the latter.

A KKHO spokeswoman said its staff would have to establish whether fogging was warranted in these cases.

“If there is a basis for their claims, then control measures will be enacted in their individual areas,” she said.

“In most cases, fogging is performed in areas where cases of dengue fever have been recorded.”

She said the public could also contact the authority for help regarding their misgivings.

“However, the onus is on homeowners to ensure that their premises do not become a habitat for mosquitoes.”

The spokeswoman said these individuals could be penalised if larvae was detected in their compounds.

Under Section 13 of the agency’s Destruction of Disease-bearing Insects Act 1975:

No person shall do or perform any act which may, or is liable to, create such conditions as may likely to propagate or harbour disease-bearing insects or permit or allow such conditions to arise or continue.
Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence under this Act.

She said the culprits risked being slapped with a RM500 compound.

“Should they be found guilty in court, first time offenders face the possibility of having to pay a fine of up to RM10, 000, serve a jail-term of up to two years, or both.

“Repeat offenders, meanwhile, might have to shoulder a fine of up to RM50, 000, a prison sentence of up to five years, or both,” she said.

The inspections in Taman Tsun Kiong and Taman Golden City were prompted by complaints from two rate-payers about the mess inside two homes in these neighbourhoods.

Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.

Daily Express Malaysia

The residents feared that dangerous reptiles and disease-bearing insects might have made a home among the overgrown grass and empty containers strewn about the compounds of both these premises.

They hoped City Hall would intervene before they or their neighbours came to harm because of this.

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00