
101 rats caught at Pasar Pekan Ampang
The campaign that ran from July 8 to 25 was aimed at raising community awareness on the importance of maintaining environmental cleanliness and to curb rat breeding and rat-borne diseases such as leptospirosis.
With a reward of RM3 per rat, MPAJ presented a total of RM303 to 30 participants.
"The programme ran smoothly and received a very encouraging response, from not only the traders at Pasar Pekan Ampang, but also those at business premises around the Pekan Ampang area.
"The campaign will continue at Pusat Bandar Ampang Point, the Pandan Jaya market area and its surrounding areas," it said in a statement to the 'New Straits Times' yesterday.
The council also addressed concerns over the possibility of certain parties breeding rats solely to claim the cash rewards.
"MPAJ carries out the campaign for a limited period to prevent such situations from occurring.
"The initiative aims to encourage community participation in maintaining cleanliness in the Ampang area by offering cash incentives.
MPAJ hopes the effort will be well received by the public," it said.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Fire, steel and patience shape his age-old craft
Sharp edge: Fauzi is refining the blade of a knife he forged at his workshop in Kampung Hutan Pasir, Ketereh in Kelantan. — Bernama KOTA BARU: Smoke curls from glowing embers as Fauzi Yusoff grasps his hammer. His movements are slow, deliberate, as if syncing with the heartbeat of a craft that breathes through fire and steel. This is the daily ritual of the former headmaster who has never stopped breathing life into the 'pisau jam', a traditional Kelantan Malay knife which is now a mere name to the young generation. 'The shape of this pisau jam is unique, like the hands of a wall clock. I use iron for the blade's core, but the rest is made from a mix of five types of old 'pamo' iron ... if you look closely, you'll see fine borders along the blade, that's its signature,' said Fauzi, 69. Better known as Cikgu Fauzi, he told Bernama that this used to be an after-school hobby for him more than three decades ago. Today, each strike of the hammer is a memory, a tribute to his late father Yusoff Kasim, a blacksmith in Kampung Padang Embun in Pasir Mas. Though only 15cm long, each pisau jam forged by Fauzi tells a personal story. Its sheath is carved from tiger-striped acacia wood, the bolster (aring) crafted from hammered molten copper, and the hilt, or handle, made from strong, long-lasting merbau wood. 'Many have offered to buy it, but I can't let it go. This isn't just a weapon, it's my family's history, my father's,' he said. His wife Che Azizah Mat Ali, 67, a retired teacher, is right by him as she watches her husband's weathered hands at work. Their four children and 11 grandchildren grew up to the rhythm of metal on iron. Apart from pisau jam, Fauzi produces machetes, keris, swords and sickles. Each one is forged with patience. Among his most treasured creations is a knife blade with a wooden sheath in the shape of an arowana fish. 'It takes months to finish one. Each fin must be carved by hand. I used to sell it for RM550, but now it's worth thousands of ringgit, but I don't make it anymore because the sheath maker has passed away,' he said. His humble workshop behind the house, built at a cost of nearly RM100,000, is more than a place to work. It's a sacred space, where every spark and ember rekindles memories of his father. 'When I hear the sound of the hammer, I feel like my father is beside me again. I remember how he taught me to hold the hammer, how to be patient when the iron glows red,' he said. Most orders today come for machetes and sickles, which are ready within a week. But making swords and keris takes time, precision and patience – skills that not every hand can master. A single handcrafted keris can fetch up to RM3,000. 'The process begins by heating the iron over charcoal, then hammering it with an 'Air Hammer' machine. After that comes the 'sepoh', quenching it in water or oil to harden the blade,' he said. But the final stage – the rolling and finishing – is the most delicate. 'If you're not at peace, the blade won't turn out right. This is my father's legacy. It's also my love for the craft.'


New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
NST visit inspires young writer, thanks to two editors' kindness
VISITING the New Straits Times (NST) office for the first time remains one of my most vivid and cherished memories. It was a day when curiosity and determination led me to the man behind the "Letters to the Editor" column, to which I regularly contributed. That meeting would go on to deeply inspire my writing journey. I parked my motorcycle beside Balai Berita, the building that housed the NST. The entrance was modest but carried an air of history and importance. Upon entering, I was greeted by a receptionist whose warm smile immediately put me at ease. I told her I was there to deliver a letter to the editor of the "Letters to the Editor"; she told me to look for Zainon Ahmad, affectionately known as Pak Non. She said that his office was next to the editorial team and told me to take the lift to the third floor. The lift's wooden panels gleamed under soft lighting, exuding a classic, almost nostalgic charm. The gentle hum of the machinery was accompanied by the faint scent of aged wood and polish, a reminder that this building had witnessed decades of journalistic history. Stepping out into the third floor, I was immediately enveloped by the vibrant energy of the newsroom. The editorial room was vast and alive with activity. Journalists sat at their desks, some typing furiously on computers, others tapping away on typewriters, the clatter blending with bursts of laughter and animated conversations in corners. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the faint rustle of newspapers and the occasional ring of telephones. It was about 5.30pm, the most intense hour for the editorial team, yet the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. I approached a man who was focusing on his computer screen, and asked for Zainon's office. He pointed towards a room with a wooden panelling and a glass window that allowed one to see inside. Looking through, I saw a man. He had neatly combed hair, slicked back with hair cream, a goatee that framed his face and an untrimmed moustache. His thick, black-framed spectacles sat low on his nose, giving him an air of scholarly seriousness mixed with approachability. As I introduced myself, his eyes widened in surprise. "I thought R.K. Ravindran was a retired old man," he said, laughing heartily. "My God, you're so young to be writing letters!" That warm, genuine laughter broke the ice instantly. I told him about my involvement with the Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia and my passion for writing. Then, almost playfully, he asked if I could speak Tamil. When I said yes, he began speaking fluent Tamil, and I was completely taken aback — a Malay man conversing effortlessly in another language! It turned out he was from Kedah, just like me, and had grown up in the estates. That shared background created an instant bond between us. Our conversation flowed easily for about 15 minutes. I took the opportunity to ask why my letter about the Bukit Jalil estate had not been published despite sending it three times. I handed him a copy, and after reading it quickly, he explained candidly: "The estate has some of our regular advertisers who bought parts of the land, so it's a sensitive issue." He suggested I speak to his boss, who was in a room nearby. I thanked Pak Non profusely for publishing all my other letters without fail and made my way to his superior. The woman at the door greeted me warmly, asking the purpose of my visit. When I mentioned Pak Non's referral, she opened the door to a man seated inside. He was handsome, wearing a crisp white shirt and tie, with spectacles perched precariously on his nose. He looked up and asked for my name. After reading my letter in a few seconds, he asked what I wanted him to do. I explained the dire condition of the estate and my hope that the letter could be published to raise awareness. He made no promises, but assured me that he would try. We shook hands and I left. That was P.C. Shivadas. Walking back through the editorial room, I was struck by the sense of purpose and camaraderie among the staff. Though I didn't know anyone else then, I felt a deep connection to this place — the very newspaper I had grown up reading. To my surprise and delight, within three days, my letter was published prominently. I called Zainon and Shivadas to thank them. Their support and encouragement made me feel valued and inspired me to continue writing. Pak Non remained a close friend until his passing. He was a man who loved his teh tarik at the Hilton Petaling Jaya and carried a gentle spirit beneath his sharp journalistic mind. Shivadas, too, remains a legend in my life, embodying patience, love and care. Looking back, those moments at the NST office were more than just visits: they were life-changing encounters with two great stalwarts of Malaysian journalism. They weren't just editors, they were also mentors who inspired me to cherish the beauty of our world, our people and the power of the written word to make a difference. Their kindness and integrity left an indelible mark on me and my writing. Stepping into the NST newsroom was more than just entering a building — I had stepped into a world where truth, passion and humanity converged, shaping not only a newspaper but also the lives of those it touched. I am one of them. Although Pak Non has since passed, and Shivadas has left the NST, I offer my salute and deepest thanks to both of them.


New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
101 rats caught at Pasar Pekan Ampang
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ampang Jaya Municipal Council received a total of 101 rats from members of the public who participated in their Rat Eradication Campaign at Pasar Pekan Ampang. The campaign that ran from July 8 to 25 was aimed at raising community awareness on the importance of maintaining environmental cleanliness and to curb rat breeding and rat-borne diseases such as leptospirosis. With a reward of RM3 per rat, MPAJ presented a total of RM303 to 30 participants. "The programme ran smoothly and received a very encouraging response, from not only the traders at Pasar Pekan Ampang, but also those at business premises around the Pekan Ampang area. "The campaign will continue at Pusat Bandar Ampang Point, the Pandan Jaya market area and its surrounding areas," it said in a statement to the 'New Straits Times' yesterday. The council also addressed concerns over the possibility of certain parties breeding rats solely to claim the cash rewards. "MPAJ carries out the campaign for a limited period to prevent such situations from occurring. "The initiative aims to encourage community participation in maintaining cleanliness in the Ampang area by offering cash incentives. MPAJ hopes the effort will be well received by the public," it said.