Saturday 9 May 2020

RATS - A LONG STANDING PROBLEM AT THE JALAN OTHMAN WET MARKET

Jalan Othman wet market in what is called "PJ Old Town" or the old town centre of Petaling Jaya was recently closed for disinfection after some traders were found to be infected with COVID-19.

However, there has been a chronic problem at the Jalan Othman wet market which has been a long standing issue, and Bukit Gasing State Assemblyman Y.B. Tuan Rajiv Rishyakaran states such in the video below, courtesy of StarMetro, and in StarMetro article below by Sheila Sri Priya.

CLICK HERE FOR STAR TV VIDEO

Well, I'll add that rat problems plague other wet markets and other parts of Petaling Jaya. Like, whenever I walked at night through the commercial centre of Section 14, Petaling Jaya  where there is a wet market, I see huge rats popping in and out of the drains.

And, rat infections in the City of Petaling Jaya, supposedly a "world class" city, and it looks like neither Selangor State Assemblymen or Assemblywomen, nor the Petaling Jaya City Councillors, nor the Petaling Jaya Member of Parliament can do much to get the  Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) to act on this problem.

Is this a case of the Petaling Jaya City Council officers literally farting in their faces? Looks like it, and in our Petaling Jaya residents' faces too.

I'll leave you with Sheila Sri Priya of StarMetro who has been tirelessly highlighting problems facing us residents in Petaling Jaya in the media:-

Rats infest PJ wet market

Saturday, 09 May 2020

By SHEILA SRI PRIYA

THE closed Jalan Othman wet market in Petaling Jaya may be off limits, but not to the dozens of rats that have come out to play in broad daylight.

After five positive Covid-19 cases were detected at the market, the premises was sealed off since May 3.

During StarMetro’s visit to the market yesterday, about 50 rats were spotted scurrying about looking for food.

They were nibbling on the carcass of dead chickens trapped in cages. Some roamed freely over and inside the chicken coop in the poultry section.

Resident Cletus Stephenson said the rat problem had worsened in the past two months.

He said Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) should take measures to control the rat population.

Some of the rats are the size of cats, and there are plenty here, ” said Stephenson.

He first noticed them during his evening walks with his dog.

I have exhausted all my avenues in getting the city council to do something. I have sent emails and even made phone calls but did not get any response, ” he said.

Stephenson said in addition to battling Covid-19, getting rid of rats should also be a priority as they could carry diseases.

It is unacceptable to have them in markets where food is sold, ” he added.

He said MBPJ should compel the market traders to clean the premises in stages thoroughly.

Stephenson said he recorded a video which he shared with Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohd Sayuthi Bakar and posted on social media.

I am going to follow up on this because it is a serious matter and the public must demand for a cleaner environment, ” he said.

One market trader said they were not given enough time to clear their produce when the market was forced to shut.

“We were informed on Sunday (May 3) night that the market would close the next day at 8am.

“This is probably why the chicken sellers had to abandon their livestock, ” he said.

MBPJ could not be reached for comments, but StarMetro spotted city council officers who arrived at the market to place rat bait all over the premises.

Meanwhile, Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran said the rat problem was a chronic issue.

He said the market had structural problems, including hidden drains that have turned into “rat hideouts”.

“I had suggested numerous times to the mayor for the market to be upgraded.

“I doubt the traders would just leave their livestock there on purpose. They probably couldn’t remove it due to the shutdown, ” he said.

He added that in the past, the city council had terminated the licence of a food operator at the market due to poor hygiene.

This led to rats appearing at other stalls where some traders fed them chicken feet.

CLICK TO READ THE STAR's ARTICLE

Selangor has remained the same old shithole under Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Harapan control.

Let's see if Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohd Sayuthi Bakar manages to get the Petaling Jaya City Council to follow up on his promise on social media - I am going to follow up on this because it is a serious matter and the public must demand for a cleaner environment”.

Take care, keep safe and continue to take all precautions during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Yours truly

SELANGOR SCHEISS

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