The 32-year-old worker at a coffee shop in Pandan Perdana, Ampang, caught 613 rats in a month through various methods, the staronline reported.
Shiva, who has been living in Pandan Perdana for the last eight years, said he caught them using sticks, but most of the time he used rat poison in drains behind restaurants and shops.After that he collected the dead rats to redeem RM1 for each rat from the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ).
The council paid an extra RM10 for every 20 rats caught, while a bonus of RM30 was paid for every 50 rats caught. An extra of RM100 was paid for 100 rats on top of the RM1 for each rat.
Prasad received RM840 for the rats he caught throughout the campaign period.
Organized by Teratai assemblyman Janice Lee, the campaign was open to all residents in the constituency.
He said he caught about 180 to 200 rats in a week, depending on the weather because when it rained, he caught fewer rats.
"There are many rats in this area. It’s just a matter of being serious in catching them.
“I will send the money to my two kids and family in Nepal,” he said during the campaign’s closing ceremony held at the Pandan Lake Club.
Present at the event were Lee, MPAJ secretary Abd Hamid Hussain, councilors Jennifer Tnew, KP Wong, Cheong Chye Wah and Chan Su Sann.
Abd Hamid said the campaign was a success as it involved residents and they were given a leeway in the methods employed to capture the rodent.
A total of 1,450 rats were caught during the campaign. “The campaign was successful in overcoming the rat menace in this area. Meanwhile, it is also a cost effective measure for MPAJ. The campaign should continue,” he said.
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