Mosquito traps to be made compulsory for Malaysia's new housing projects

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will make it mandatory for new housing projects to come installed with mosquito traps, Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Noh Omar said on Monday (Sep 5).

The minister said the plan, which would be implemented soon, was among the measures taken by the ministry to reduce dengue fever cases and to prevent the spread of the Zika virus in the country.

"The mosquito traps are widely used in Hong Kong. They run without electricity by using solar energy and can be placed on fields and housing areas," Noh said. "Why can’t we do it here?"

Noh added that while his ministry can only advise existing housing estates to install for the sake of the community’s wellbeing, it will be compulsory for new developments to come installed with mosquito traps. 

“Otherwise the new projects will not be approved,” said Noh. "We need action, not just talk."

Separately, under Malaysia's annual budget, there is an allocation of RM53 million (US$13.02 million) for public parks landscaping enhancements. According to Noh, city councils applying to finance their landscaping projects must show that their parks will be equipped with mosquito traps.  

On Thursday, Malaysia recorded its first case of Zika virus infection when a 58-year-old woman from Klang tested positive for the disease after returning from Singapore on Aug 21.

On Saturday, the Health Minister confirmed the first locally transmitted Zika virus infection case involving a 61-year-old man from Sabah. However, the man later died from heart-related complications.