MELAKA: The Home Ministry is focusing its monitoring efforts on four main entry points into the country to assist the Health Ministry in preventing the spread of monkeypox (mpox) in Malaysia.
Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the four main entry points were Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminals 1 and 2, the Sultan Iskandar Building, and the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex.
He said the ministry was also monitoring trails used by smugglers along the country's borders, especially around Sungai Golok, through security controls conducted by the General Operations Force (GOF).
"We are talking about 141 entry points in total. Three-quarters of tourists arrive through KLIA, KLIA2 (Terminals 1 and 2), the Sultan Iskandar Building, and the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex, so our priority is on these four main gateways.
"We have identified the other routes – smuggling trails – which are under the surveillance of the General Operations Force (GOF)," he said.
He told reporters this after the investiture ceremony for state honours and awards, in conjunction with the 75th birthday of the Melaka Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Mohd Ali Rustam.
Saifuddin Nasution said even though the current mpox outbreak is considered to be under control, the government was maintaining a cautious approach.
The World Health Organization has declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern for the second time in two years, following a new outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to neighbouring countries. –BERNAMA