BINTULU: The enforcement course by the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVS) is considered crucial in empowering the responsibilities and skills of officers to address issues based on the law.
According to Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, the courses aim to enhance officers’ skills in handling legal issues, especially major cases involving smuggling syndicates.
“Recently, we successfully curbed the smuggling of Bali cattle from outside Sarawak, which was feared to bring diseases to live livestock within Sarawak, with several procedures to prevent various diseases and other implications on our food supply,” he said.
He said this when met after the closing ceremony of the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak Enforcement Course Series 2, 2024, here.
On a related note, he also said that DVS still requires a workforce of 566 people to effectively intensify enforcement operations in each division.
However, he hoped for solid cooperation from other agencies such as the Ministry of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government (MPHLG), Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM), city councils, and related agencies in addressing issues or legal violations under DVS.
“This is because each agency like DVS, MPHLG, or JKDM has its own jurisdiction, and through cooperation, efforts to tackle issues on the ground can be streamlined.
“The alignment of jurisdictions can support the proposal to establish quarantine and inspection services specifically for Sarawak,” he added.
The event also introduced the DVS uniform as stipulated under Section VPHO 1999.
