MBKS urged to maintain drains, backlanes in Tabuan Desa, Tabuan Jaya

KUCHING (March 5): The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) has been urged to properly maintain drains and backlanes in Tabuan Desa and Tabuan Jaya.

Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen’s special assistant, Michael Kong said mosquitoes may breed in these public sites overgrown with vegetation, posing potential dengue risks.

“Without proper maintenance of drains, clearing of overgrown vegetation and regular monitoring, the mosquito problem will continue to pose a serious public health risk to residents,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

The statement followed a visit on Wednesday to Tabuan Desa, where Kong said he “was personally swarmed by mosquitoes”.

The visit was a follow-up to an initial one conducted last month, when Kong engaged with Tabuan Desa residents regarding the Aedes mosquito issue in the area.

Kong said that many residents, during the first visit, had expressed serious concerns about the increasing mosquito population and the potential risk of dengue.

“Following the complaints, the authorities conducted a fogging exercise on Tuesday (March 3). While this action was welcomed, it is deeply regrettable that the underlying issue has not been resolved,” he said.

Local residents told Kong that the last fogging before March 3 had been carried out several months ago. They further shared that the recent fogging appeared to be only a temporary measure, as the root causes of mosquito breeding remained unaddressed.

“Most, if not all, of the backlanes are overgrown with long grass. Drains filled with stagnant water, ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, were observed throughout the area.

“In several lanes, tall shrubs and unkempt trees have been left unattended, with accumulated fallen leaves and fruits providing a ‘conducive environment’ for mosquito larvae to thrive,” he lamented.

Kong stressed that fogging alone is not sufficient.

He called for thorough cleaning, grass cutting, drain clearing and sustained vector control measures to be carried out in Tabuan Desa and Tabuan Jaya.

“I call upon MBKS to treat this matter with urgency and deploy the necessary resources. I also respectfully urge the mayor to personally visit the affected area to better understand and appreciate the seriousness of the situation on the ground,” he said.

Public health concerns, particularly those involving dengue risk, should never be taken lightly, Kong emphasised.

“Immediate and sustained action is required to prevent a potential (dengue) outbreak,” he added.