KUCHING: Sarawak has set a target to achieve zero rabies by 2030 with a commitment to provide free vaccinations for pets.

Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Dato Sri Dr. Stephen Rundi Utom said Sarawak recorded 80 deaths from 87 rabies cases, a worrying figure for the state government.

Therefore, he said, the Sarawak Government is committed to providing free vaccinations by mobilising teams, especially from the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS).

"However, this effort cannot be done by the authorities alone where the Health Department, DVS, local authorities, communities and animal lovers need to work together.

"Enforcement alone is not enough, we need to raise awareness because frankly, no one should die from rabies," he said.

He said this when speaking at the Gala Dinner in Conjunction with Rabies In Borneo 2025 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here on Tuesday.

Dato Sri Dr. Stephen Rundi stressed that educating and creating awareness in the community is among the latest efforts of the state government regarding rabies, which is 100 per cent preventable.

He explained that indifference to the dangers of rabies can bring harm to oneself and those in the community.

Also present were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (M-FICORD), Datu Sirai Daha, DVS Director, Datu Dr. Adrian Susin Ambud, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Place Borneo, Mona Abdul Manap, President of the Sarawak Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals (SSPCA), Datin Dona Drury Wee and the Director of the Department Sarawak State Health, Dr. Veronica Lugah. -UKASnews