Indonesia is often the fall-guy for Malaysia’s ills. Haze? Indonesian palm oil plantation slash-and-burn. No matter that many of the companies involved are Malaysian.
The snatch thief who just grabbed your laptop? Indonesian, definitely. We can complain that they raise our crime rates, yet at the same time enjoy the perks of having cheap foreign labor.
The recent outbreak of rabies in Sarawak that tragically killed two children yesterday? Well that came from Indonesia as well, having spread from Kalimantan.
The Star reports that speaking at a press conference, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam told reporters that Malaysia was declared rabies-free in 2012, and any cases that occur here are a result of cross-border transmission.
He then added: “It shows that our borders are not only porous to humans but also dogs.”
Um. WHAT?! Sir, did you just put migrant workers and DOGS into the same category? Aiyo.
There are 68 dog-bite victims that are currently being given the vaccine and being monitored. The vaccine itself requires several courses, and cannot prevent the disease if it has already spread. There are three confirmed cases, with two deaths and a third in critical condition. Rabies is fatal in most cases.
The health minister than assured the public that they would continue to monitor the situation.
Great, but what about that pesky porous border?
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