SEREMBAN: Negri Sembilan has quarantined two Orang Asli villages in Kuala Pilah after nine leprosy cases were reported in the area causing one death, says Datuk Seri Aminudin Harun.
The Mentri Besar added that the Jeram Tengkek Ecopark near the two villages has also been closed indefinitely to prevent the disease from spreading.
"I was shocked when told by senior state exco (Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias) about the nine cases in Kg Chergun and Kg Guntur.
"Sadly, an 18-year-old girl from Kg Chergun died two days ago at her home after coming down with a fever for about a week," he told reporters after chairing the state exco meeting at Wisma Negri on Wednesday (Feb 19).
Jalaluddin who was also present said the nine individuals were from five families.
"Five families were from Kg Chergun and the four others from Kg Guntur," he said, adding that the health authorities were also investigating how the disease spread in the two villages.
Jalaluddin said the health authorities had carried out a screening exercise on 65% of the village folk last month and another one was conducted on February 15.
He said the Jeram Tengkek Ecopark had to be closed to prevent outsiders from coming into the area.
"We do not want to take any risk by allowing outsiders to come to the ecopark and then carrying anything back to their homes with them.
"So for now it will remain closed," he said, adding that another screening exercise will be carried out at Kg Guntur on Feb 22.
He said Juasseh assemblyman Puan Seri Bibi Sharliza Mohd Khalid and the relevant government departments and agencies will assist the Orang Asli from the two villages as long as they remain under quarantine.
"It is important that we bring the situation under control first.
"So we will send in whatever assistance required by the Orang Asli during this period," he said.
On a separate matter, Aminuddin said female state government employees will be allowed to go home at 2pm on Fridays during Ramadan.
"They will have to report for work at 7.30am and will have to work till 2pm without taking a break during lunch time," he added.
