Apathy main cause of dengue

Residents of Taman Medan Cahaya flats in Petaling Jaya doing their part during the clean-up.

DISCARDED plastic containers and bags along walkways as well as stagnant water in makeshift storerooms of low-cost flats in Taman Medan Cahaya, PJS 2, Petaling Jaya, were deemed ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, based on latest checks by Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).

City council and state government officials conducted a state-wide clean-up hosted by the Housing and Local Government Ministry yesterday, and Taman Medan Cahaya low-cost flats was among 21 localities identified as dengue hotspots in Petaling Jaya.

State Housing and Urban Living Committee chairman Haniza Talha said as of April 9, Selangor recorded the highest number of dengue cases in the country with 22,754.

She said the people’s lack of civic-mindedness was one the main reasons for the dengue menace.

“Nowadays, the public will just wait for the authorities to clean up after them.

“Firstly, they should not throw rubbish everywhere because this will attract mosquitoes in their neighbourhood, and these days we have more mosquito breeding grounds in public spaces rather than inside people’s homes.

“Secondly, the Joint Management Body (JMB) of high-rise buildings and house owners should conduct their own regular checks to make sure there is no stagnant water within their premises,” said Haniza.

She added that Kuala Lumpur came in second with 3,168 dengue cases followed by Johor and Penang with 3,106 and 2,200 cases respectively.

As of March 8, hotspots in Petaling Jaya comprised Prima Damansara in PJU 10, Pelangi Damansara flats in PJU 6, Desa Mentari flats in PJS 5, Desa Ria flats in PJS 5, Desa Mentari flats in PJS 6, Mentari Court in PJS 8, Taman Medan PJS 2C, Suria Apartments in PJS 3, Desa Perangsang flats in PJS 3 and Taman Medan Baru.

Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohd Sayuthi Bakar said the council needed the support of the public to keep their living spaces clean and neat.

“The city council cannot be cleaning people’s homes, and there is no (local) council in the world that will come and clean your house for you.

“JMBs and residents must ensure their living areas are free of Aedes mosquito breeding grounds.

“People should not hoard plastic containers and there should not be stagnant water in their high-rise corridors.

“When we have gotong-royong sessions, not all residents will help clean the area. This attitude has to change,” said Mohd Sayuthi who was present at the clean-up.