Rat-catching campaign a success

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THE Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s rat- catching campaign carried out last year at wet markets have been successful.

According to City Hall deputy health director Dr Ahmad Zaidi Zainal Abidin, the campaign had played a major role in reducing the rat population at wet markets.

“We already had the campaign in four wet markets namely Wangsa Maju, Chow Kit, Kampung Baru and Keramat.

“The rats caught either dead or alive are taken to the City Hall animal pound in Air Panas, Setapak.

“If it’s alive then we would kill it in a humane way, otherwise it will be buried,” Ahmad said after launching the latest campaign at the Pudu market that ends on Dec 12.

He also gave away 500 rat traps to the traders and residents.

Once the rats are caught, people are urged to come to the City Hall office at the Pudu market from 9.30am to 11am to hand over the pests to the staff. Ahmad added that they paid RM1 for each rat.

“The campaign would not have been successful without the co-operation of the traders and residents,” said Ahmad.

Pudu stall operators and petty traders association chairman Jeff Tan Ker Chiang said the traders were pleased with City Hall’s effort.

“Previously, we could see rats running around in the market late at night. Now, there are fewer rats.

“We hope City Hall will look into holding the campaign every six months instead of making it an annual affair,” said Tan.