Companies not accredited by the pesticide board under the Agriculture Ministry would not be recognised by the Subang Jaya Municipality Council (MPSJ) to provide business premises with certificates of pest control treatments.

MPSJ has made it mandatory for all eateries starting from October, to employ a consortium called SJ Pest Control to facilitate pest control services and obtained a certificate of proof, as part of a licensing renewal procedure.

"Many food outlets near residential areas are causing problems for the surrounding neighbourhood. Such outlets are the source of most pest problems, such as rats and cockroaches," explained MPSJ councillor Lee Hwa Beng (right).

The move is also made mandatory for those seeking new approvals of contruction work as a means of curbing the rising termite problem within the municipality's jurisdiction.

According to Lee, the move also comes in the wake of several cases of cheating by unscrupulous pest control companies that either do not deliver satisfactory services or absconds after receiving payment.

Earlier this week, Star Metro reports that the business community are apprehensive about the plan, in which they believe they will have to pay RM600, or twice the market price, for pest control services.

"Thus far, I have received no complaints of panel members on the consortium overcharging above market rates. If people do complain, we will take action," said Lee, who is also Subang Jaya state assemblyperson.

He said that the 20-year contract with the consortium was expandable, but cannot involve the whole industry as it would defeat the purpose of the move.

Unqualified

Meanwhile, the DAP Selangor are crying foul over the presence of companies unrelated to the pest control industry being part of the konsortium endorsed by MPSJ.

At a press conference today, DAP Selangor publicity chief Lau Weng San (left) said that checks with the Companies Commission revealed that Konsortium SJ Pest Control was registered as a 'general tradings' company.

Of six companies within the consortium, only one company was registered as a company providing pest control services. One company was registered as providing cleaning and maintenance services, while another in property development.

"Are such companies even qualified to handle pesticides?" he asked, adding that there were very strict accreditation rules to handle poison in many developed countries.

He urged that the local councillors rethink the decision to force food-outlet operators to employ the consortium, pending a proper dialogue with residents on the matter.

When told about Lau's allegation, Lee said he was informed that some members of the consortium were in the process of being accredited by the pesticide board while those who fail to do so will be removed from consortium.

Billboard removed

In another development, Lau urged the Petaling Jaya City Council to periodically publicise details of action taken against errant billboard owners.

He said that this would create a sense of certainty among Petaling Jaya residents who are uneasy about the rapid proliferation of billboards, of which some were erected haphazardly.

Lau was commenting on the removal of a billboard erected on a pedestrian path along Jalan University in Petaling Jaya soon after DAP Selangor had publicised the matter.