THE “catch-a-rat” reward scheme is being offered again to tackle the rodent issue in Ampang Jaya, Selangor.
The “Tangkap, Bawa dan Tebus Tikus” campaign by Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) offers RM3 per rat and runs until Feb 13, with dead or live rats to be surrendered at Pasar MPAJ Pandan Jaya.
The local council had conducted similar programmes over the years, with the most recent held in Pekan Ampang in July last year.
MPAJ deputy president Hasrolnizam Shaari said Pandan Jaya was chosen as the first location this year due to its dense commercial activity and high-density housing.
“Rats breed in areas like this.
“The public face increased risk to being exposed to rat-borne diseases such as leptospirosis, as well as property damage by the rodents,” he said during the launch of the programme at the morning market.
Hasrolnizam added that MPAJ was taking a community-based approach through the rewards programme, which aimed to raise awareness and encourage shared responsibility.
Last year, he said 59 public locations were identified for rodent control, with the campaign in Pekan Ampang alone recording the disposal of 101 rats.
Hasrolnizam said inspections were conducted at 1,488 premises, resulting in 329 compounds issued for hygiene-related offences involving cockroaches, flies and rats.
The total fines amounted to RM23,250.
The campaign was supported by a RM10,000 allocation from Housing and Local Government Ministry to fund rat eradication efforts throughout 2025.
Meanwhile, Hulu Langat Health District Office entomologist Nurul Ainni Abdullah emphasised the importance of maintaining cleanliness to prevent rat infestations.
She said food debris on counters and floors should be cleaned promptly using suitable detergents, as bacteria from rat urine and droppings can survive for between one week and a month.
Nurul Ainni also advised premises owners to avoid stacking boxes and to ensure stored items were properly covered, as clutter provides shelter for rodents.
Highlighting the rapid reproduction cycle of rats, she said a single rat could reproduce up to five times a year, producing between 18 and 22 offspring each time, resulting in as many as 110 rats annually if left unchecked.
