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There is an urgent need to step up the efficiency of screening and quarantine by immigration and customs at all points of entry into Malaysia as a measure to prevent bird flu from entering this country   Press  Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw (Kuala Lumpur, Friday): Today, 10 countries in Asia have bird flu. So far it has killed 10 people. There is no reported case in Malaysia. Let us keep it that way. Facing this threat, we have to improve supervision at the Malaysia-Thai and Malaysia-Indonesia borders and customs. Yesterday, Datuk Abu Bakar said: “People should not risk their lives for quick profits by smuggling such (infected) animals across the border.” We hope the authorities increase vigilance and eradicate smuggling activities.   The Veterinary Department checks poultry farms, birds shop, bird sanctuaries, wet markets and abattoirs. It must improve the efficiency of its supervision. The Home Ministry must also play its part, especially the monitoring of customs and borders.   We feel that the Government should improve its efficiency in the screening of tourists and passengers for infected poultry or other types of meat. We are nice to our visitors. But they must not bring diseases into the country. At the same time, the Government ought to enforce quarantine regulations, so that this flu does not enter into Malaysia.   We have to review our quarantine regulations and the ways immigration and customs people enforce them. We should raise our standard. (30/1/2004) * Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong