10-year-long fly infestation: residents at breaking point

Residents of Kampung Samak Jeram, Kuala Selangor, have had enough after putting up with a fly infestation for over 10 years.

Finally reaching their breaking point, residents lodged a police report at the Kuala Selangor district police headquarters yesterday afternoon.

They urged authorities to take stern action against a nearby poultry farm which is believed to be the source of the infestation.

The farm, located some 150 metres away from several residents’ homes, allegedly caused the fly infestation to spread as far as one kilometre across the village.

Spokesperson Raja Shariff Raja Sahadan told reporters that the farm was slapped with a fine in 2013, but no further action was taken.

“This problem has been going on for over 10 years, even though it was initially brought to attention in 2013.

“We are just frustrated that the farm is still operating for such a long time, despite complaints from villagers,” he said.

Raja Shariff, who lodged the police report on behalf of the villagers, laments that residents have grudgingly grown accustomed to the appalling conditions.

Fly’s caught on a flypaper at the village

However, residents finally lost their patience and will now continue to push for legal action if the fly infestation continues.

Following an inspection by the Kuala Selangor Municipal Council, the poultry farm has been instructed to temporarily shut down for violating health and safety regulations.

It is expected to undergo sanitary rehabilitation before being allowed to resume operations.

According to a report by Kosmo yesterday, a joint inspection by the local council, police, and the Kuala Selangor Veterinary Office found the farm rearing 224,000 chickens, nearly mature and ready for the market.

Officials also reportedly found that the disposal of carcasses at the farm was not done properly.

It was also found that records on its regular pest control were inadequate, and its management of chicken faeces is “unsuitable”.

Authorities inspecting the poultry farm

The report said that the poultry farm has since been ordered to close immediately, with insecticides to be sprayed three times daily.

Despite the measures taken Raja Shariff said residents are not too pleased with the decision, as they initially demanded the poultry farm be shut down altogether.

“We are willing to wait and see how it goes. But, if the farm continues operating and we do not see improvements within the next few months, we are seriously looking at escalating this case to court,” he said.

“As residents, we have had enough. We have no intention of cutting off anyone’s ‘rezeki’ (income) or the farm owner’s source of income. We only ask them to cease operations near our homes and relocate elsewhere.”

Residents have also called on the authorities to investigate the validity of the poultry farm’s license and for further action to be taken in the case of illegal operations. - Mkini