BERA (Pahang) — A health official in Pahang has warned owners of business and residential premises to clean up mosquito breeding grounds within their property or face legal action.

Pahang Health director Zainal Ariffin Omar told state news agency Bernama on Friday (Sept 9) that individuals and businesses could receive notices to clean up their surroundings within seven days, “after which, if they still refuse to comply, they will be taken to court directly”.

If convicted, offenders could face a fine not exceeding RM10,000 (S$3,310), or a maximum jail term of up to two years, or both, Bernama reported.

The notices will come under Section 8 of the Destruction of Disease Bearing Insects Act 1975, the Malaysian news agency said.

Dr Zainal Ariffin told Bernama that the State’s Health department had provided ample opportunities to the public by implementing various prevention programmes to educate them on maintaining a clean environment. However so far there has been poor cooperation from the public, he noted.

“We still find flower pots and plastic containers filled with larvae left in the open just like that...wouldn’t this lead to the spread of Dengue fever and Zika viral infection brought by the Aedes mosquito?” he said.