12 hours ago
RM2 per rat? Kota Kinabalu's Rat Extermination Campaign is paying up
The mission? To scrub the city squeaky clean and keep it Insta-worthy for locals and tourists alike - minus the twitchy tails and beady eyes. By ASYIKIN ASMIN
26 Jun 2025 12:27pm
Sabin taking part in a gotong-royong (communal clean-up) following the launch of the Rat Extermination Campaign around Kota Kinabalu Central Market. (Photo by Asyikin Asmin)
KOTA KINABALU - It's not every day you get paid to catch a rat but in Kota Kinabalu, that's literally the deal.
In a bid to clean up the streets (and chase off some very unwanted guests), the Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) is offering a RM2 cash reward for every rat captured, under its all-out Rat Extermination Campaign.
The mission? To scrub the city squeaky clean and keep it Insta-worthy for locals and tourists alike - minus the twitchy tails and beady eyes.
Mayor Datuk Seri Sabin Samitah said the city's cleanliness remains patchy in certain areas, thanks to the usual culprits: improper rubbish disposal and leftover food. All of which, surprise surprise, invites pests... or as DBKK calls it: LiLaTiN - lipas (cockroaches), lalat (flies), and tikus (rats). We like to call it the holy trinity of urban disgust.
'This campaign aims to ensure the city remains clean and to prevent the spread of diseases like leptospirosis, which is carried by rats,' he told reporters at the campaign launch at Kota Kinabalu Central Market on Wednesday.
'The presence of rats doesn't just pose health risks, it also tarnishes the image of our city, especially in hotspots like the Central Market,' he added. Sabin (centre) inspecting the conditions at Kota Kinabalu Market after launching the Rat Extermination Campaign. (Photo by Asyikin Asmin)
The campaign runs until July 31 next month, and yes, every rat must be presented to DBKK for official record and disposal. No word yet on whether there's a receipt for rodents.
While DBKK normally carries out regular rat-catching ops, this time they're levelling up - with the public and vendors being roped in for a full-on pest purge. It's not just about the traps, it's about triggering a mindset shift.
'We're also making sure there are enough rubbish bins and that waste collection follows schedule to avoid overflows, which are basically party invites for rats and their LiLaTiN gang,' Sabin said.
Meanwhile, the Mayor also addressed last weekend's Gempur Rasuah 2.0 gathering that saw crowds rallying in the city.
He made it crystal clear: 'If anyone damaged public property, legal action will be taken.'
DBKK was currently assessing the aftermath, checking for cleanliness and any signs of burning, especially if flammable materials like petrol were involved.
That said, DBKK acknowledged their responsibility to ensure all affected areas were restored, even if rally organisers had already done their part in tidying up.
So whether it's rat patrol or protest clean-up, KK's message was loud and clear: keep it clean, keep it classy... and maybe cash in on a rodent or two.
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