Fumigation a free service, mayor says

JAKARTA (JP): East Jakarta Mayor Sudharsono told residents yesterday to reject offers of mosquito fumigation by private concerns.

Sudharsono said the groups usually asked for money and the quality of the insecticide -- which should kill mosquitoes that spread dengue fever -- was not guaranteed.

"Never accept their offer because they will not guarantee that the fumigation is effective," he said as quoted by Antara.

Fumigation throughout Jakarta is conducted by the city administration, which has been alarmed by an increase in cases of dengue fever this year.

Governor Sutiyoso has said the fumigation program will cover 100 subdistricts across the city's five mayoralties.

Twenty of East Jakarta's 65 subdistricts have been fumigated by the administration free of charge, Sudharsono said. (pan)