Big rat problem in Pasar Besar Seremban

SEREMBAN (Nov 4): Seremban Municipal Council (MPS) is going all out to rid Pasar Besar Seremban of its rat infestation.

MPS licensing and urban services department director Iskandar Ariffin said it was important for the traders to be aware of the health hazards posed by the rodents.

“We caught 60 rats today and our monthly campaign will hopefully help to further reduce the rat population in the market,” he told reporters after launching the Kawalan Tikus campaign at the market yesterday.

During the visit, The Malaysian Insider saw rats running everywhere in the wet market. It didn't help that some stalls had not been cleaned at the close of the day and offal left to rot in the heat.

Iskandar said the monthly campaign was a joint effort with the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry introduced in 2013.

“The campaign is also to educate the 840 traders in the wet market about leptospirosis, which is spread through rat urine,” he added.

He said 231 rats were caught between January and September this year.

“The campaign has been effective and will be continued to reduce the number of rats in the wet market,” he said.

It is understood that the rats caught are exterminated and then buried.

He added council’s officers were also stationed at the market to monitor and encourage the traders to practice proper waste disposal to prevent rats breeding.

“They also remind the traders to always clean up after themselves at the end of the day,” he said. -- The Malaysian Insider