‘No animals from Kalimantan allowed’

In the hot zone: Tuty speaking to reporters at her home in Tebedu.

KUCHING: Sarawak has barred people from bringing animals from Indonesia’s Kalimantan into the state.

Since the outbreak of rabies on both sides of the Sarawak-Kalimantan border last month, security has been tightened to prevent the movement of animals through border crossings.

Third Infantry Brigade commander Brigadier General Mohd Bustaman Mat Zin said six security posts in Sarawak and 59 in neighbouring Kalimantan were on high alert to contain the rabies outbreak.

He said the Armed Forces immediately tightened checks at the state’s entry points at Badau, Biawak, Tebedu, Entikong, Serikin and Lubok Antu after instructions from Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who also chairs the State Disaster Management Committee.

“We have to ensure no cats and dogs are brought across the border. The Army is liaising with its Indonesian counterpart to tackle the problem,” said Brig-Gen Mohd Bustaman.

He said security forces would detain anyone caught smuggling animals, particularly cats and dogs, from either side of the border.

At neighbouring Balai Karangan in West Kalimantan province, Indonesian authorities have issued a rabies outbreak alert.

Tuty Santi, 38, said her village, about 20km from the Sarawak border town of Tebedu, was declared rabies-infected after an adult and a child died of rabies on July 4.

“We had to put down six dogs, including four puppies, after an aggressive dog bit our pets a few months back due to rabies. It was confirmed that dog had rabies,” she said.