Centralised Poultry Slaughtering And Storage To Prevent H5N1 Spread

KUALA LUMPUR, 27 Feb (Bernama) -- The Federal Territories Ministry will propose to the government the setting up of a centralised slaughtering and storage of poultry to contain the future spread of the Avian Influenza H5N1 virus.
Its minister, Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique said at present, the poultry could be taken anywhere in the city to be slaughtered.
"Perhaps, one pro-active measure which we can take is by having a centre for slaughtering of poultry," he told reporters after a visit to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) Avian Influenza Operation Room at Setapak here Monday.
Zulhasnan said he would raise the matter to the Cabinet.
Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Ruslin Hasan said City Hall did not have problems to allocate space for Bumiputera traders to operate at Jalan Petaling adding that this was done in the 1970s.
"There were about 10 to 20 Bumiputera traders but they were unable to carry out their business then.
"Perhaps, time has changed. If there is room and they (Bumiputera) want to, it will not be a problem for us," he added.
He was commenting on a statement by the Malaysia Dakwah and Welfare Organisation (Pekida) a few weeks ago which wanted other races to also be given space to carry out business at Jalan Petaling to overcome the problem of gangsterism.
Ruslin said he would meet representatives of Pekida to get clarification on the matter.