IPOH: More than 300 Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) trainees and 100 army recruits took part in the fight against mosquitoes at Bercham New village by clearing the area of breeding grounds.
Organising chairman and Wataniah Perak Club chairman David Choi Kok Wai said the event was held at the new village for the first time.
Members of the security forces joined some 150 villagers and 100 Territorial Army Regiment members who combed the area stretching from Lorong Bercham 1 to Lorong Bercham 19 to remove containers and other objects that could hold stagnant water which could turn into breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes.
Drains that were clogged were also cleared so that water could flow freely.
“We understand that Bercham is one of the areas in Perak to have the highest number of dengue cases, and we want to do our part to minimise them,” Choi said during the start of the clean-up at SJKC Bercham yesterday.
“We have also invited the army and RMAF to assist with the gotong-royong,” he said.
He added that their presence also promoted national unity while building rapport with residents.
Meanwhile, Bercham residents are already taking the precaution to minimise the chances of being bitten by the Aedes mosquito.
Shamsul Anuar, 45, says he tries to stay indoors as much as possible during the rainy season and makes sure the windows and doors are closed.
The lecturer at a polytechnic also said he would wear full length shirts and tracksuits when enjoying the outdoors at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Recreational Park here with his family.
“I usually come to the park at about 9am after breakfast for my morning walks,” said Shamsul, who also uses mosquito repellent at his house in Taman Botani, especially in the evenings.
Lim See Fook, 62, who stays in Ulu Kinta, said he seldom visited parks and would usually take brisk walks around his housing area.
He would also ensure there was no stagnant water in his house or its compound, and avoided walking around shaded areas.
“My grandchildren are down from Singapore, and if there is a need to bring them to any park, I would only come out of the house at about 9am.
“When I go for my walks, I try to wear light colour clothing to avoid attracting mosquitoes,” he said.
Engineer Chaw Kean Yee, 37 said he normally stayed indoors during the period when Aedes mosquitoes were the most active.
He said if his children insisted on coming out to play at any park, he would bring them out only after 9am.
“We seldom go out in the evenings, and all our rooms are fitted with mosquito netting.
“We also make sure the windows and doors are always shut, especially in the early mornings and after 6.30pm’” sais Chaw.-thestar
