Sarawak vaccinates 13,616 dogs against rabies

A total of 13,616 dogs along the Sarawak-Indonesia border have been vaccinated against rabies as of October 2026.

Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk Seri John Sikie Tayai the Immune Belt Enforcement Team (IBET) had achieved 94.33 per cent herd immunity through the vaccination effort to prevent cross-border transmission.

“As of October 2026, the Immune Belt Enforcement Team (IBET) has successfully vaccinated 13,616 dogs along the Sarawak-Indonesia border,” he said in his winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly today (Oct 19).

Sikie said RM671,000 had been allocated for 2027 to support rabies prevention and control efforts along Sarawak’s land border with Indonesia.

“The allocation will be utilised for the procurement of anti-rabies vaccines for dogs, essential supplies for targeted dog removal operations, and other operational equipment, including syringes, gloves, and related necessities,” he said.

He said the funding was critical to sustaining IBET’s frontline operations and strengthening rabies prevention and control measures in border areas.

It would also support the Sarawak government’s continued efforts to eliminate rabies in the state, he added.