Putrajaya Corporation (PPj) offered hampers for the first 10 successful rat-catchers and RM3 for each subsequent rat caught at its rat-catching programme last weekend.
However, no rats were caught during the programme held at Precinct 9, Putrajaya.
The gotong-royong and rat-catching programme marked the launch of the Putrajaya Federal Territories-level rat control campaign.
Residents, traders and shop operators in Precinct 9 joined forces for the clean-up that was co-organised by PPj and several government agencies.
The programme aimed to create awareness about the dangers of leptospirosis.
The gotong-royong also cleaned up possible rat breeding grounds.
“Putrajaya used to have a large rat population as it was formerly an oil palm estate, but thankfully there is no more,” said PPj president Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat.
“This is due to the city’s controlled and clean environment, and the effectiveness of eradication and prevention measures. PPj will continue its efforts to ensure zero leptospirosis cases in Putrajaya.”
Aseh also urged the Putrajaya community to ensure the cleanliness of the city.
For the period between January and July this year, PPj received one complaint of rat problems but no leptospirosis cases were reported.
PPj City Services Department assistant director Mohammad Amin Hasan said the authority had a regular maintenance schedule to ensure the administrative capital’s cleanliness.
“Pest control checks on public areas are to be carried out by contractors every two weeks,” he said.
He added the rat-catching programme would be extended to other precincts in Putrajaya over the next few weeks.
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