Kampar:More than 400 residents in four villages have been dealing with a fly infestation and foul odour, allegedly due to agricultural activities involving untreated chicken manure since early last year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the situation has worsened over the past three months in Kampung Changkat Tualang, Kampung Redang Sawa, Kampung Changkat Legong, and Kampung Kota Bharu. Ahmad Kazimi Ibrahim, the chairman of the Changkat Tualang/Redang Sawa Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK), reported that the agricultural land, covering about 40 hectares around the villages, is used for cultivating cash crops like corn and sweet potatoes.

The residents have noticed frequent deliveries of chicken manure fertiliser by lorries, which they believe is contributing to the increase in flies. Ahmad Kazimi expressed concerns about the impact on daily life, cleanliness, and public health, noting that flies disrupt meals and sleep and contaminate food.

Despite several engagement sessions between residents and operators, the problem persists, leading residents to seek help from the state government and relevant agencies.

Osman Sharif, a resident and food business operator in Kampung Redang Sawa, reported that the fly infestation had cut his eatery's income by nearly half. He noted that visitors are deterred by the flies, and he has to spend significantly on insect control products to maintain cleanliness.

Perak State Communications, Multimedia and NGO Committee chairman Mohd Azlan Helmi stated that the government is taking the issue seriously. He mentioned that the State Department of Agriculture would conduct a detailed census to identify the operators and verify compliance with fertiliser management standards. The department will also investigate whether untreated chicken manure fertiliser is still in use.