Over 27,000 cattle imported to meet Aidiladha demand

In transit: Dr Azhari Sharidan (third from left) monitoring the process of moving cattle after the end of the 14-day quarantine period at the Maqis Animal Quarantine Station in Padang Besar.

PADANG BESAR: More than 27,000 cattle have been imported to meet the demand for the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration.

These livestock have undergone strict screening and quarantine procedures by the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Ser­vices Department (Maqis).

Maqis deputy director-general Dr Azhari Sharidan Abu Bakar said the department guarantees that all the cattle, most of which come from Thailand, are free from diseases and safe to be sold and slaughtered for the korban ritual.

He said they have been monitored during a 14-day quarantine period for any signs of foot and mouth disease (FMD) and lumpy skin disease (LSD).

“These two are among the main diseases we monitor throughout the quarantine,” he told Bernama at the Maqis Animal Quarantine Station in Padang Besar.

Muslims in Malaysia will celebrate Hari Raya Aidiladha this Wednes­day, according to the acting assistant secretary of the Conference of Rulers, Muhammad Affendi Jalaludin.

Dr Azhari Sharidan also noted that the department has recorded the import of about 1,000 buffaloes so far, in preparation.

All livestock must pass Maqis screening to control animal ­diseases and protect public health and safety, he said, urging impor­ters to comply strictly with regulations.

He explained that some impor­ters house their cattle in private quarantine premises approved by Maqis rather than at government stations, though its officers regularly monitor the livestock.

If government quarantine stations are full, cattle may be qua­rantined in private premises or even at the importer’s own location, but that requires prior application to Maqis for approval, as long as all procedures and conditions are met.

He admitted that non-compliance does occur, particularly when cattle are removed and sold before completing the full 14-day quarantine period.

Maqis recorded one such case last year and two the year before.

The department can take action under the Quarantine and Inspec­tion Services Act.

He noted that livestock enter the country through three ­Immi­gration, Customs, Quaran­tine and Security Complexes, namely Padang Besar ICQS (Perlis), Bukit Kayu Hitam ICQS (Kedah) and Rantau Panjang ICQS (Kelantan).