Lee described the amount as “grossly inadequate” and said it had to be revised as the nation saw a spike of 298 per cent of dengue cases. Some 26,249 cases and 63 deaths were reported since January 1 to April 5 this year compared to 6,598 cases and 14 deaths during the same period last year.
“The fine needs to act as a deterrent and RM500 is not enough. Developers can surely afford it,” he said.
“It should be at least RM2,000 to RM5,000 for commercial developers and not more than RM300 for residents.”
He added contractors and workers should be reminded to maintain health and safety standards at their work sites.
“They tend to not pay much attention to such matters, even though construction sites are at higher risk of being mosquito breeding grounds,” he said.
“Health inspectors should be issuing them warnings, as well as to residential areas, since dengue is a serious problem.”
Lee said a stop-work order would be the most effective punishment for commercial projects but this was usually reserved for hazardous working conditions.
On Tuesday, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said the RM500 compound would be issued under the Destruction of Disease-Bearing Insects Act 1975 (Section 25) if Aedes mosquito larvae were found within building premises.
The ministry had on Tuesday issued stop-work orders for 14 sites in the Petaling district after they were found to have 165 mosquito breeding spots.
A ministry spokesman revealed some 3,446 compounds, amounting to RM1,723,000, were issued from January to March 29 this year.
As of Monday, 14,905 dengue cases have been reported in Selangor, with 6,083 or 42 per cent in Petaling alone. A total of 26,658 cases were recorded nationwide this year alone.
Those who fail to pay the compound can under Section 23 of the Act be fined RM10,000 or jailed two years for the first offence while repeat offenders may be fined up to RM50,000 or jailed five years.
Here is what some non-governmental organisations have to say:
Malaysian Medical Association president Datuk N.K.S. Tharmaseelan
“It was a bold and wise move by the ministry to halt work (at the 14 sites) but the compound of RM500 is small as developers and contractors will ignore the matter instead of taking corrective measures. A minimum fine of RM1,000 or more should be imposed. Households instead should be warned before a fine is imposed. The responsibility to combat dengue should not just be that of the ministry but all Malaysians in general.”
Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia president Datuk Seri Michael Yam
“A contractor is responsible for the site’s cleanliness, health and safety. As for building owners, they have a moral responsibility in preventing Aedes from breeding. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, a fine by the Health Ministry is a good deterrent.”
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association president Datuk Paul Selva Raj
“A RM500 compound is rather steep for household owners and may be unreasonable for a first-time offence. But the fine for commercial sites has to be increased and be substantial enough to prevent them from continuously breeding Aedes. The ministry should focus on providing education and creating awareness for those who let Aedes larvae breed in their homes. The ministry should also continue with fogging operations.”
