NEA to take action against Hougang Mall for rat burrows on its premises
A FairPrice spokesperson said pest specialists have visited its branch at Kang Kar Mall five times last month and eight times in April. Photo: Wee Teck Hian
SINGAPORE — The National Environment Agency (NEA) is taking enforcement action against the management of Hougang Mall, after it detected five rat burrows on its premises, the agency said yesterday.
It also revealed that it had received five complaints of rats scurrying in the nearby Kang Kar Mall since the start of the year.
The agency had conducted inspections in the area after a video of a rat spotted in the NTUC FairPrice outlet in Kang Kar Mall went viral. It also found rat droppings and other signs of rat activity at the FairPrice outlet in question, and will be taking enforcement against them, it said yesterday in response to media queries.
According to the NEA, it had received complaints about rat activity Kang Kar Mall since the start of the year, but no rat activity was detected when the NEA followed up on the complaints. “Nevertheless, we advised Kang Kar Mall management, NTUC Fair Price Co-operative Ltd, and Kopitiam Food Court to practise proper food storage and refuse management,” the agency said.
However, two weeks ago, during a routine inspection of the external area between Kang Kar Mall and Hougang Mall, the agency detected two burrows under the charge of the Hougang Mall management, AsiaMalls Management. “NEA had informed the mall management of these findings, and the burrows have since been treated,” the agency said.
In the video that went viral — posted by an irate shopper — a rat can be seen running around the bread aisle of the supermarket. The video was accompanied by several photos that showed bread packages with holes as a result of the rodent. The shopper also complained of inaction by Fairprice staff when he raised the issue with them.
A tenant at Kopitiam Food Court in Kang Kar Mall told TODAY that rats have nibbled on food products at her stall. The tenant, who did not want to be named, also said that the air-conditioning in the food court has also been affected by the rat activity.
When TODAY visited Kang Kar Mall yesterday, pest controllers from Rentokil were spotted looking for burrows, as well as at the area around the mall and near Hougang MRT Station. They were also seen putting chemicals into the burrows found.
In the wake of the latest incident, the NEA said it is requiring FairPrice and both mall managements to step up their rat control measures. Yesterday, it also met with the relevant stakeholders to advise them on proper refuse management, and denying rats access to areas of food storage, to reduce the rat population.
A FairPrice spokesperson said pest specialists have visited its branch at Kang Kar Mall five times last month and eight times in April. Affected products have been disposed of and its premises have been sanitised. It also said the rat in the video has been caught.
Aljunied Hougang Town Council was unable to respond to queries by press time while Kopitiam declined comment. The NEA said it will be working closely with the stakeholders to address the issue.
