KUCHING. Sept 29 2026: Sarawak is strengthening its surveillance, enforcement and control of animal movements across its borders in the efforts to de-escalate the spread of rabies from neighbouring territories.
Premier Abang Johari Openg said Sarawak's geographical position in Borneo and its ties with neighbouring territories make cross-border cooperation vital in efforts to control and ultimately eradicate rabies.
He said the disease knows no district, state or national boundaries, and therefore prevention and control efforts cannot rely solely on administrative borders.
"Rabies knows no boundaries. This disease does not distinguish between districts, states or countries. Therefore, our efforts to address it cannot be limited to administrative boundaries alone," he said in his text of speech read by Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian at the launch of Rabies in Asia (RIA) 2026 conference at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
THe premier said the role of the Immune Belt Enforcement Team (IBET) must continue to be strengthened as an important part of rabies control efforts, particularly in areas at risk of cross-border animal movement.
A total of 113 IBET members are participating in the conference and play a role in strengthening surveillance, enforcement and preventive efforts on the ground.
The premier added that Sarawak is taking various prevention and control measures, including vaccination, surveillance, enforcement, public awareness and cooperation with various agencies and strategic partners.
Among the approaches implemented is Oral Rabies Vaccination (ORV), which aims to reach stray dogs that are difficult to catch and vaccinate conventionally.
The latest field programme involved the distribution of 2,281 oral vaccine baits, alongside the vaccination of 3,579 dogs.
The premier stressed that eradicating rabies cannot be shouldered by the government alone, but requires the involvement of technical expertise, field experience, communities and various organisations that share the same goal.
In this regard, the One Health approach will continue to be emphasised, with cooperation between the veterinary health and public health sectors, supported by enforcement agencies, local authorities, researchers, animal welfare organisations and communities.
He said expanding the Rabies in Borneo platform into Rabies in Asia also opens opportunities to strengthen collaboration with more countries and organisations, particularly in surveillance, vaccination, animal movement control, capacity building and knowledge sharing.
"The goal of eradicating rabies cannot be achieved by one country, one agency or one profession alone. It requires sustained commitment and, most importantly, cooperation," he said.
He said continued cooperation is essential to ensure that every step in prevention, detection, monitoring of animal movements and community engagement is further strengthened until the target of eradicating rabies is achieved.
Also present were Tebedu Assemblyman and Malaysian Veterinary Council member Dr Simon Sinang Bada, Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government (MPHLG) Permanent Secretary Elizabeth Loh, state Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) director Dr Adrian Susin Ambud, Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS) director Abdul Wahab Rahim and Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) president Dona Wee.
