PUTRAJAYA: Premises owners face possible jail term if they are found to be repeat offenders for “breeding” aedes larvae.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said yesterday this was because the authorities wanted the public to be more conscientious about cleanliness to prevent further increase of dengue cases.

He said compound notices issued to errant premises owners were also upped from a meagre RM50 or RM100 fine to a minimum RM500 while repeat offenders would be taken to court where provisions in the governing Acts allow a jail term to be imposed.

Under the Control of Communicable Diseases Act and the Destruction of Disease Bearing Insect Act, those who are repeatedly found to be “breeding” aedes larvae in the compound of their premises can be fined and jailed for not more than two years.

Muhyiddin said tougher action against premises owners was necessary as many were not taking the offence seriously.

“Now that the dengue situation is getting more serious, slapping a small compound on offenders is no longer sufficient,” he said after chairing the National Committee on Dengue.

There were 35,533 cases reported between January and Sept 18, which was 14% higher compared with the same period last year.

The number of deaths also increased by 53%, to 107, over the past nine months.