PAPAR: A 47-year-old tyre collection centre owner was fined RM5,000 or six months’ jail by the Magistrate’s Court, here, after pleading guilty to allowing conditions that could breed disease-carrying insects.
Chan Boon Hong admitted to committing the offence at Kampung Marahang, here, at 3.25pm on Oct 27, 2025, before Magistrate Zuraini Ali Musa.
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The charge, under Section 13(1) of the Destruction of Disease-Bearing Insects Act 1975, provides for a fine of up to RM50,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both, on conviction.
The court heard that on Oct 27, 2025, a team of officers from the Papar District Health Office conducted an inspection at the tyre collection premises in Kg Marahang.
During the inspection, officers found stagnant water inside several tyres, creating conditions conducive to the breeding of disease-carrying insects, specifically mosquito larvae.
The larvae breeding sites inside the tyres were shown to the premises representative, and five mosquito larvae samples were collected and placed into labelled bottles as evidence.
Investigations revealed that this was Chan’s second similar offence, as he had previously been compounded for the same offence on Sept 22, 2025, which he had settled.
Cleaning notices under Section 8 of the Act had also been issued on April 15 and April 17, 2025, but were not complied with.
Further inspections following complaints from nearby residents also found multiple mosquito breeding sites at the premises, prompting authorities to proceed with prosecution instead of issuing another compound.
A forensic photographic record of the breeding sites was also taken during the operation.
During mitigation, Chan, through counsel, said this was his first court offence and that he had been in the process of disposing of tyres from the premises.
The court was also told that Chan had suffered losses after being deceived by a business partner involving a tyre disposal machine which was never purchased.
The counsel further informed the court that Chan suffers from anxiety disorder with panic attacks and assured that he would ensure no further mosquito breeding grounds would be found at the premises.
Sabah Health Department Prosecuting Officer John Raynold Anak Achon, however, applied for a deterrent sentence, stressing that public health interests must take precedence over personal interests.
He submitted that mosquito larvae of the Aedes albopictus species, a known carrier of dengue fever, were discovered inside tyres located in open areas within the premises and were clearly visible during the inspection.
The prosecution further argued that the presence of breeding sites showed Chan had failed to maintain proper environmental cleanliness, resulting in conditions favourable for disease-carrying mosquitoes.
The court was also informed that there had been three reported dengue cases in the locality, making the offence a serious matter involving public health and community safety.
John added that Chan had previously been issued a compound for a similar offence and had been served cleaning notices but failed to comply.
Due to repeated non-compliance and continued discovery of mosquito breeding grounds following complaints, authorities decided to proceed with full prosecution after obtaining approval from the Attorney-General’s Chambers. Chan paid the fine.
