PETALING JAYA, Jan 29 — Local councils need to come down hard on dengue offenders or they will become a party to the increasing number of dengue cases which threaten the lives of Malaysians nationwide. 

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said it was the duty of local councils to enforce the law.

“The Health Ministry depends on them to take their job seriously and do so without fear or favour,”  said Lee.

On grouses by councils that they were unable to enter premises to perform inspections, Lee said the authorities should seek amendments to the law to enable them to serve their role.

“They can’t make excuses, especially in this time when fatalities are increasing.

“If the laws are not adequate, amend them to take action — the councils must ensure they are equipped to do what is necessary.

“There is no point having a toothless local authority that can’t bite and perform its duties,” said Lee.

He described those who, through their irresponsible actions, bred Aedes mosquitoes as “failing to understand the value of life”.

“Their very actions threaten the lives of others.

“For the councils to even allow offenders to appeal for reductions in compounds is unacceptable,” he said.

Lee called upon Malaysians to take the warnings by the Health Ministry regarding the rise in dengue cases “very seriously.”

“The exercise to eradicate dengue must include the entire community.

“We need to make sure we do not create breeding grounds for the mosquitoes,” he said.