Sebuyau, May 7, 2025 – The Kampung-to-Kampung Rabies Vaccination Program in Sebuyau, held from May 5 to May 7, successfully vaccinated 297 pets in an ongoing effort to curb the spread of rabies. This initiative covered 30 villages and was supported by key agencies, including the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVS) from headquarters, Serian, and Samarahan, along with the Immune Belt Enforcement Team (IBET). A total of 199 animals received their first vaccine dose, while 98 received booster shots. Additionally, 159 pet owners from 24 villages participated in the program. Beyond vaccination, the program emphasized public awareness of rabies prevention and the importance of regular vaccination for both animal and human safety. DVS and IBET teams provided information on recognizing symptoms of rabies, precautionary measures, and the necessary steps to take in the event of an animal bite from a suspected rabid carrier. The public is encouraged to ensure their pets receive regular vaccinations and to contact veterinary authorities if they encounter any suspicious cases. With strong community support, this vaccination drive aims to minimize infection risks and create a safer environment for all. For further details on upcoming vaccination programs, individuals can reach out to DVS Sarawak. -DVS SARAWAK

KUCHING (June 5): Sarawak is setting its sights on transforming its livestock sector into a fully integrated halal agro-industry with ambitions that extend well beyond achieving self-sufficiency, said Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom. The Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development said the state’s ongoing development of a complete livestock supply chain from upstream production to downstream processing is key to building a sustainable agro-economy. “This is part of our ability to create a complete supply chain. We’ve tried many schemes and our target is to produce 60,000 head of cattle by 2030, which will bring our self-sufficiency level (SSL) for beef and related meat products up to 25 per cent. “Sarawak’s current SSL stands at around 16 per cent, up from 13 per cent previously,” he told reporters during a working visit to the PPES Ternak Sdn Bhd Halal Abattoir Complex in Siburan, here today. He said the Halal Abattoir Complex has already started producing cornmeal and other downstream products, while efforts to diversify Sarawak’s livestock offerings are taking shape in regions such as Lawas, where mozzarella cheese production is expected to begin by the end of the year. Plans are also in motion to expand production of halal canned corned beef using Sarawak black pepper, targeting both domestic and export markets, he added. Dr Rundi further stressed the importance for agencies under his ministry to continue working together to ensure the agricultural sector becomes sustainable, by building market access into every production plan. “The reason we’re facing problems in agriculture is because we’ve never had a complete supply chain. People are willing to plant or raise livestock, but the market is often uncertain and that must change,” he said. The visit to the PPES Ternak Sdn Bhd Halal Abattoir Complex, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), reflects the government’s continued commitment to strengthening the state’s long-term food security. It also aimed to provide Dr Rundi with a firsthand understanding of PPES Ternak’s integrated supply chain operations – from feedlot farming to meat processing – and assess its strategic contributions to Sarawak’s overall food ecosystem. A statement issued by Dr Rundi’s ministry in conjunction with the visit said the programme featured a detailed tour of PPES Ternak’s core facilities, including the Siburan Halal Abattoir Complex, corned beef processing factory, and the feedlot centre. “All facilities are certified under Halal, MESTI, and HACCP standards, reflecting the company’s dedication to producing high-quality, hygienic, and traceable meat products for local and regional markets. “This engagement also underscored the importance of increasing Sarawak’s cattle SSL to reduce reliance on imported meat,” said the ministry, adding that it recognises the vital role of PPES Ternak in supporting the state’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 and helping position Sarawak as a regional food hub. “The visit reaffirms the state government’s commitment to working closely with industry stakeholders to ensure that every household in Sarawak has access to safe, affordable, and sustainably sourced protein which is a cornerstone of building a resilient and food-secure future for the state,” it added. Accompanying Dr Rundi during the visit were his deputy minister Datuk Martin Ben and SEDC chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain.

LUBOK ANTU: The palm oil industry in Sarawak is becoming more sustainable, expanding beyond crude oil production to include high-potential downstream activities. This approach not only adds value to the industry but also contributes to increased income from the crop. Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, stated that the palm oil industry was initially focused solely on oil sales. However, advancements in palm oil technology now enable the production of biofuel for aircraft and animal feed. He emphasized that this initiative aligns with Sarawak’s circular economy development policy, which promotes material reuse to minimize excessive waste that could negatively impact the environment. “Sarawak is now heavily focusing on the ‘waste-to-energy’ industry, where waste is converted into renewable materials that can be sold in various product forms. “Earlier, I observed that we have two key by-products from palm fruit waste—biofuel and animal feed, including fertilizer,” he said. He made these remarks during the opening ceremony of the Kernel Crushing Plant (KCP) today. According to him, eco-friendly products now command premium prices in global markets, making this effort a new source of revenue for Sarawak. He reiterated that Sarawak places great emphasis on producing environmentally friendly products through circular economy practices, which convert waste into valuable downstream goods. In a separate development, Abang Johari, during a press conference after the event, encouraged farmers and livestock breeders in Sarawak to explore new ideas to enhance the value of existing commodities. He noted that if these initiatives are successfully implemented, Sarawak’s vision of increasing household incomes and becoming a leading exporter of agricultural and livestock products by 2030 could be realized. “Many of our farmers own around two hectares of land, and if their crops are unaffected, they could utilize the space between palm oil trees for livestock farming. “Currently, we no longer rely solely on grazing fields to feed livestock. Instead, alternative feed sources such as Napier grass mixed with palm oil waste are being used. “This will boost farmers’ incomes as they will have two new revenue streams—palm oil and livestock,” he explained. -UKAS

“There has been enough awareness since 2019. It’s time for stricter enforcement, and to be fair, if you want to own pets, make sure you’re a responsible pet owner—it applies to everyone,” he said. He also stated that enforcement operations would not be pre-announced to encourage consistent compliance. “We will not disclose which areas we are targeting first, so people should be prepared and there will be no more excuses,” he said. During today’s event, over 80 pets received rabies vaccinations, and more than 50 dog licences were issued. On the issue of stray dogs, Wee highlighted the importance of microchipping to distinguish between owned animals and strays, a step seen as essential in controlling the stray population effectively. Meanwhile, Sarawak Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) president Datin Dona Drury-Wee unveiled a new initiative made possible through a grant from Yayasan Khazanah. The initiative will focus on the neutering, vaccination, and treatment of 100 community dogs, which will be marked with ‘SSPCA’ tail tags for easy identification. “We’ll be working closely with the state Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, local councils and DVSS and hope to roll it out very soon,” she said. She added that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is currently being finalised and will soon be signed with Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is also state Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government.

KUCHING (April 5): The Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development is advocating for pig farmers to adopt the latest technology to reduce the risk of livestock-related diseases. Its Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said pig farms which are equipped with the latest technology could lower the risk of diseases, particularly African Swine Fever (ASF). He made these remarks following a visit to a pig farm located at Jalan Ensengei Baki in Serian where he witnessed the methods and technology used by the owner, Greenlife Agritech (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd. According to Dr Rundi, the modern pig farm uses a closed enclosure system that ensures a controlled environment, reduces the risk of disease and maximises livestock growth. “The farm also uses high-quality pig breeds from the US, and is equipped with quarantine and disinfection facilities to ensure a high level of biosecurity,” he said in a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) report today. It is understood that Greenlife Agritech targets to produce 144,000 pigs through the implementation of the farming project, which is scheduled in three phases. Each phase is said to last two years, starting this year with the owner aiming to see a production of 48,000 pigs per annum. Among those present were Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Martin Ben and Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak director Datu Dr Adrian Susin Ambud.

KUCHING (Jan 22): All pet dogs in Sarawak are now required to undergo anti-rabies vaccination and receive annual boosters, said Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom. He said the order is enforced under Section 40(1) of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999 (VPHO 1999). “Dog owners are responsible for ensuring their pets are vaccinated. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in an offence punishable by a fine of up to RM 2,500. “Additionally, dogs exposed to rabies that lack proper vaccination documentation will be euthanised,” he said in a statement following the signing of the order today. He added that seven divisions in Sarawak including Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman, Kapit, Mukah, and Bintulu have been declared rabies-infected zones as of today, following the detection of new rabies-positive animals there. “In 2024, 123 animal rabies tested positive from the 889 samples collected in Sarawak, which are 79 in Kuching, Samarahan (10), Serian (6), Sri Aman (4), Kapit (4), Mukah (4) and Bintulu (16). “Additionally, three rabies-positive cases involving cat and dog were reported in Kuching and Samarahan divisions between January 6 and 19 this year. “The positive animals were identified as free-roaming pets,” said Dr Rundi. He said the cumulative number of human rabies cases in Sarawak now stands at 83, with 76 fatalities recorded since July 2017, including eight deaths in 2024, according to the State Health Department. “I would like to remind the public to take extra precautions when dealing with stray animals and seek immediate medical attention at a nearby clinic if bitten by an animal. “Dog owners are responsible for ensuring their pets are vaccinated against rabies, microchipped and neutered. “Dog owners are also required to apply for a license and microchip from their respective local councils,” he said, adding that failure to obtain dog license is an offence and may be fined up to RM5,000 Section 3 of the Local Authorities (Dog Licensing and Control) By-laws, 2018. “Pet owners are encouraged to neuter their pets to help prevent unwanted litter. Owners who dumped their pet may be fined up to RM2,000 under Section 73 of the VPHO 1999. “Failure to obtain a dog licence may result in a fine of up to RM5,000 under Section 3 of the Local Authorities (Dog Licensing and Control) By-laws, 2018. “Owners who abandon their pets face fines of up to RM2,000 under Section 73 of the VPHO 1999, while allowing dogs to roam freely can result in fines of up to RM2,500 under Section 37 of the VPHO,” he added. Dr Rundi added dogs involved in bite incidents will be euthanised for laboratory testing, and local authorities are empowered to seize and impound dogs found off-leash. “Pet owners are encouraged to neuter their pets to prevent unwanted litter and keep dogs confined within secure enclosures to prevent escapes,” he added. To curb the spread of rabies, Dr Rundi said the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS), along with the Immune Belt Enforcement Team (IBET) from UKPS, has intensified anti-rabies vaccination programs across the state. “Public can get their free dog anti-rabies vaccination at any Government Veterinary Offices during office hours and mass vaccination which will be announced from time to time at their official DVS Sarawak Facebook account. “Private veterinary clinics are also providing vaccines and health care for your pets,” he said.

KUCHING: Sarawak has recorded its first human rabies infection for the year 2025, involving a stray cat bite this month, said Sarawak's Minister of Agricultural Modernization and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom. The first human rabies case in Sarawak for 2025 involves a 13-year-old teenager bitten by a stray cat; the victim is currently receiving treatment at Sarawak General Hospital. Authorities are actively controlling the stray animal population and advising the public to seek immediate medical attention if bitten, as rabies becomes difficult to cure once the virus reaches the brain. The Rabies in Borneo Conference 2025 will be held from September 30 to October 1 in Kuching, with participation from Sabah, Kalimantan, Brunei, and other countries to discuss strategies for eradicating rabies in the region. Dr Rundi stated that the case involved a 13-year-old teenager from Kampung Segedup, near Kuching, who started showing symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, hallucinations, confusion, difficulty walking, and trouble drinking water on May 21. "The victim is currently receiving treatment at Sarawak General Hospital, and the Sarawak State Health Department (JKNS) confirmed that the child is showing rabies symptoms, including fever, loss of appetite, hallucinations, and hydrophobia (fear of water). "Usually, once symptoms reach this stage, recovery is very difficult... we have taken precautionary measures by capturing stray dogs in the area, and the stray cat involved has been confirmed dead," he said in a press conference on the Rabies in Borneo Conference 2025 at the State Legislative Assembly Building today. Dr Rundi noted that local authorities are intensifying efforts to control stray cats and dogs in the surrounding area as quickly as possible. He also advised the public to remain vigilant about the threat of rabies infection and to seek hospital treatment immediately if bitten by animals like dogs or cats—before the virus spreads to the brain and nervous system. "This year, we collected 21 cat samples, and two tested positive for rabies... In most cases, individuals who seek immediate medical attention and receive the necessary vaccinations after being bitten can recover. "However, if treatment is delayed and the virus reaches the brain, it cannot be cured, and it is extremely painful—that is what we want to prevent," he explained. Dr Rundi reported that since 2017, there have been 63,301 dog bites, 57,210 cat bites or scratches, and 1,832 bites from other animals—recorded up to epidemiological week 20 of 2025 (May 11–17, 2025). Additionally, he stated that the Rabies in Borneo Conference 2025, now in its fourth edition, aims to find solutions to ensure Borneo nations are rabies-free. "We want more stakeholders involved in understanding the dangers posed by animals like dogs that carry the rabies virus... so for this conference, we have invited Sabah, Kalimantan, Indonesia, and Brunei to share their approaches to tackling this issue. "We are also inviting countries that have successfully eradicated rabies to share their experiences, ensuring more effective policies can be implemented," he added. The conference will be held from September 30 to October 1 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).

KUCHING: A total of 76 people have been reported dead due to the deadly rabies outbreak from 2017 to 2025. Minister of Food Industry, Commodities, and Regional Development, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, stated that the fatalities were from 84 human infection cases recorded within the same period by the Sarawak State Health Department (JKNS). "What we can conclude is that the victims died due to their failure to seek immediate treatment at nearby clinics or hospitals after being bitten by dogs or cats. "Therefore, public awareness of the dangers and symptoms of rabies is crucial, and people—especially pet owners—must be alert to the effects of animal bites," he said. He made the remarks at a press conference about the 4th edition of the Rabies In Borneo (RIB) campaign, scheduled to take place from September 30 to October 1 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK). He emphasized that the public, especially cat and dog owners, must prioritize their own, their families’, and the community’s safety to curb the spread and increase in rabies cases in Sarawak. "Most positive cases involve individuals who failed to get immediate treatment after being bitten—whether by a cat or a dog, regardless of whether the animal is stray or not. "We urge the people of Sarawak to seek medical treatment as soon as possible and follow up on treatment after being bitten by either species, as they are the animals closest to us," Dr Rundi stressed. He further warned that once rabies bacteria infect the brain, it is too late and inevitably fatal. Thus, everyone must heed directives from the City Council, JKNS, the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodities, and Regional Development (M-FICORD), and the Sarawak Veterinary Services Department, as they are experts and have the authority to enforce laws to eliminate dogs or cats suspected of carrying the deadly virus. "We all love 'mayau' (cats) and dogs, but what is more important—human lives or these animals?" he asked, acknowledging that efforts to combat the outbreak may not be well received by animal lovers and pet owners but stressing that the priority is human lives. "Between 2017 and 2025, a total of 4,912 samples were taken, and out of that number, 1,221 tested positive for rabies—125 cases attributed to cats and the remainder to dogs. "Some of those who tested positive managed to recover because they received early treatment and vaccinations, thus saving their lives. "Symptoms of rabies from dog and cat bites in humans are the same—victims experience hydrophobia (fear of water), anxiety, and aggression," he explained, adding that animals carrying rabies are easy to identify as they turn from tame to aggressive and foam at the mouth. Also present at the press conference were Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodities, and Regional Development Datuk Martin Ben, Sarawak Veterinary Services Department Director Datu Dr Adrian Susin Ambud, and others.

28/02/2025 KUCHING, Feb 27: Sarawak has imposed an immediate ban on the importation of live pigs, pork, and pork products from Peninsular Malaysia following an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Kuala Langat, Selangor. Minister for Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom stated that the move is necessary to safeguard Sarawak’s swine industry from the highly contagious virus, which poses a severe threat to pig farming.   “We only allow the importation of pork and pork products from countries free of ASF and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), and the processing plants must be approved by my ministry through DVS Sarawak with a valid import permit,” he explained. Dr Rundi also clarified that Sarawak has never permitted the importation of live pigs and pork from Peninsular Malaysia as the region is not free from FMD. He further warned that importing pork and related products without a valid import permit is a violation of Section 8 of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999, which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000, with all illegal products subject to confiscation.The Sarawak Veterinary Services Department (DVS Sarawak) will continue to enforce strict biosecurity measures to prevent the entry of ASF and other livestock diseases into the region. — DayakDaily

Source: Utusan Borneo Sarawak 21/11/2022 LAWAS: Kemasukan baka kerbau susu ‘Murrah’ ke Sarawak dan diternak di Stesen Penternakan Kerbau Maragang, Lawas, pada masa akan datang bakal memberi impak besar kepada sosioekonomi masyarakat terutamanya penternak kerbau di kawasan utara Sarawak seperti Lawas dan Limbang.  Penolong Pegawai Veterinar Kanan Pejabat Veterinar Daerah Lawas Robine Asut berkata usaha kerajaan ini sekaligus ‘membuka pintu’ kepada generasi muda untuk menceburi bidang penternakan dan menjadi usahawan berjaya.  “Apabila sudah ada kerbau Murrah nanti, ia akan memberi hasil yang berlipat kali ganda dimana penternak akan mendapat dua hasil dalam satu masa iaitu pertamanya susu kerbau yang boleh dikatakan sebagai ‘emas putih’, keduanya daging kerbau iaitu ‘emas merah’. “Ini bakal meningkatkan pendapatan penternak kerbau yang sekarang dari RM4,000 sebulan kepada RM6,000 sebulan hasil daripada susu dan daging kerbau ini,” katanya ketika ditemu bual pemberita di Stesen Penternakan Kerbau Maragang, Lawas, di sini.  Robine menjelaskan ini adalah hasrat kerajaan negeri Sarawak melalui Jabatan Perkhidmatan Veterinar Sarawak agar dapat meningkatkan populasi kerbau dan juga bilangan penternak yang terlibat yang kemudiannya meningkatkan pendapatan bulanan mereka dengan adanya inisiatif baharu ini. “Sekarang kita ada lebih kurang 500 penternak di Sarawak dan mungkin menjelang tahun 2030 jumlah ini akan dilipat gandakan kepada 800 orang penternak dengan adanya penglibatan golongan belia yang berminat dalam industri ternakan kerbau ini.  “Jadi untuk orang-orang muda kita yang sedang melanjutkan pelajaran di institusi pengajian tinggi kini, mereka boleh menceburi bidang ini (selepas tamat belajar) dan tidak hanya bergantung dengan kerja-kerja di sektor kerajaan mahupun swasta sahaja. “Sebelum ini industri penternakan kerbau diusahakan oleh mereka yang sudah berumur, disebabkan itu kini orang muda dipanggil untuk membangunkan industri ternakan di Sarawak pada masa akan datang kerana mereka ada pemikiran yang baik dan mempunyai akses kepada teknologi maklumat,” ujarnya.  Dalam pada itu, Robine berkata dengan adanya baka kerbau Murrah ini nanti akan dapat menghasilkan susu antara 15 hingga 25 liter sehari.  “Berbanding dengan kerbau sawah yang ada sekarang, kita hanya dapat menghasilkan lima ke enam liter sahaja susu, itupun hanya cukup untuk kerbau itu memberikan susu kepada anaknya.  “Kerbau Murrah pula jika kita jaga pemakanannya dengan baik, kualiti makanan dan nutrien dijaga, kita akan dapat menghasilkan susu antara 15 ke 25 liter satu hari.  “Itu baru satu ekor kerbau, kalau penternak ada 10 ekor kerbau Murrah, kita bayangkan pendapatan harian dia bakal terima, mungkin mereka akan mendapat pendapatan ratusan ringgit untuk satu ekor kerbau untuk satu hari,” katanya.  Melalui susu kerbau Murrah ini kelak akan diproses menjadi keju mozarela yang mana kilang pemprosesannya bakal dibina di stesen berkenaan dan dijangka siap pertengahan tahun 2024.