Chua (right) and Choo placing rat traps at Pasar Besar Bandar Rawang in response to complaints of rat infestation. — AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star
RAT poison and traps have been placed around Pasar Besar Bandar Rawang, Selangor, to rid the premises of rodents following several complaints made to the local council.
Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) carried out a rat extermination operation at the public market after traders complained.
Rawang assemblyman Chua Wei Kiat said the exercise would take place over two or three days to resolve the problem before the weekend.
Pasar Besar Bandar Rawang traders are advised to maintain cleanliness in their vicinity to prevent rat infestation.“The issue is not only hygiene but also rats damaging infrastructure such as drains and floors.
“MPS has its by-laws and conditions for restaurants and stalls, but sometimes traders do not abide by them, which can lead to hygiene issues like this,” said Chua, who advised traders to maintain cleanliness in the area.
The operation saw six MPS personnel and several others from the assemblyman’s office placing eight rat traps with poisoned food as bait, in several areas of the market.
The bait, which was bread coated with zinc phosphide, was also thrown into holes made by the rats, said MPS Solid Waste Management and Health Department deputy director Khairil Anwar.
Under MPS’ jurisdiction, 2,564 baits were placed last year and 1,135 up to April this year.
MPS Zone 15 councillor Alice Choo said as there were cases of typhoid in the area, the operation was also aimed at preventing such health issues.
She added that she would suggest offering incentives for the capture of rats during the local council’s health control committee meeting.
