TWO S’GOR EXCOS QUERIED OVER DENGUE OUTBREAK
23 FEBRUARY 2016
SHAH ALAM: Two Selangor exco members were grilled before the Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency’s (Selcat) public hearing on the dengue outbreak in the state.
Health, Welfare, Women and Families Affairs committee chairman Dr Daroyah Alwi, and Local Government, New Village Development and Legalising of Factories committee chairman Ean Yong Hian Wah were questioned by the committee on why the figures for dengue cases in the state was the highest in the country last year at 63,198 cases.
Selcat chairman Hannah Yeoh, questioned Daroyah on her views of the challenges faced in tackling the outbreak in the country.
Daroyah replied that she was concerned about the rising numbers in the state, adding that the attitude of residents was also a challenge in tackling the problem.
Yeoh led the Selcat hearing, which comprised other assemblymen including Haniza Mohamed Talha (PKR – Taman Medan), Ng Suee Lim (DAP – Sekinchan), Mohd Shafie Ngah (PAS – Bangi), Datuk Sulaiman Abd Razak (BN – Permatang), Saari Sungib (Amanah – Hulu Kelang) and Dr A Xavier Jayakumar (PKR – Seri Andalas) here today.
When Yong was questioned about the level of cleanliness in the state which led to possible breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes, he said there needed to be a proper study to determine whether Aedes mosquitoes were breeding in housing areas or constructions sites, adding that there was a lack of data on this.
Yeoh added that there was no proper leadership in the dengue control taskforce at the state level to lead in dealing with the disease in the state.
Prior to both excos testifying before the committee, state health department Senior Assistant Director General (Vector) Dr Ooi Choo Hock, and five health ministry officers based in Gombak, Hulu Langat, Kuala Langat, Klang and Petaling districts, testified at the public hearing.
Yeoh later said that the findings from the hearing will be discussed with Selcat members before recommendations were tabled at the state assembly.
