THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) initiated a comprehensive rat eradication campaign at the Rifle Range Market in Air Itam today.
MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said it has been a practice for the council to help in the control and prevention of rat infestation in commercial areas, high-density residential parks, public markets, food complexes, and other public places.
He thanked the Local Government Development Ministry for allocating RM22,000 to the initiative. Out of this amount, RM12,000 has been designated for dengue prevention while RM10,000 has been earmarked for the rat eradication campaign.
Rajendran also highlighted the importance of cooperation from the hawkers, traders, and residents in maintaining the environment’s hygiene and managing waste, particularly food scraps.
“We’re taking measures, including the elimination of nests and shelters of rats and the extermination of rats through chemical baiting.
“Under normal conditions, preventive measures are carried out in a cycle of four to six months, in accordance with the status and breeding habits of rats.
“A rotation strategy in the use of rat poison is also planned so that the control actions carried out are more effective and comprehensive. In addition, direct health education is also provided to traders and the general public,” Rajendran said in his speech before launching the campaign.
Dr Bhavytira Prem Anand, the head of the MBPP Vector Unit, said last year MBPP carried out the rat eradication programme at the Batu Lancang Market.
“This year, we decided to do it at Rifle Range Market after receiving several complaints of rodent infestation and harborage. We want to engage the community,” Dr Bhavytira said.
For the record, MBPP’s rat eradication efforts yielded impressive results: 13,599 rats were eradicated in 2018, followed by 14,867 in 2019, 18,155 in 2020, 18,050 in 2021, 16,238 in 2022, and 8,850 as of July 2023.
The ceremony was also attended by MBPP Secretary Cheong Chee Hong, MBPP Health Department deputy director Dr Chin Wee Loon, and MBPP councillors Datuk Kamarudin Abdullah and Goh Huey Ee.
Following the campaign launch, an MBPP workforce sprang into action, setting up traps and conducting a thorough marketplace clean-up.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Vekenesvaran Magandran