A 14-months survey was carried out to identify the species composition of Anopheles
mosquitoes from Kampung Bongor, Grik, Perak. Adding to that, a preliminary one month
mosquito population screening was done at Kampung Tepin, Serian, Sarawak. Consequently,
the insecticide susceptibility status of a pyrethroid was tested against two selected species
of Anopheles collected from these two locations in Malaysia. A total of 4,497 Anopheles from
11 species were identified from collections in Kampung Bongor, whereas 2,654 An. letifer
were collected from Kampung Tepin. The An. maculatus of Kampung Bongor and An. letifer
of Kampung Tepin were then selected and tested using WHO standard diagnostic test kits and
impregnated papers with 0.75% permethrin. The response values of KT50 and KT95 for An.
maculatus were recorded at 28.09 minutes and 62.98 minutes respectively. Anopheles letifer
recorded much slower response values of KT50 and KT95, which was at 35.09 minutes and
73.03 minutes respectively. Both An. maculatus and An. letifer showed 100% mortality after
24 hours holding period. The results indicate that both species were still susceptible to the
tested pyrethroid. For effective vector control and resistance management, accurate and
periodic insecticide resistance monitoring should be undertaken especially in rural areas
with agricultural usage of insecticides.