In an effort to curb infestation, the Sandakan City Council in Sabah has set up a kiosk to ‘purchase’ rats, with the price of RM1 per rat.

While that may seem like a great idea to curb the infestation of rats, every ‘scheme’ has its flaws. Recently, in a Twitter post, a clinical psychologist said that the campaign may backfire, despite its good intention.

‘People might breed rats to earn more from the campaign.’

He said that the rats are supposed to be exterminated but due to the possibility of earning more from the campaign, the number of rats may climb up if people decide to rear it. 

According to him, this phenomenon is psychologically known as The Cobra Effect.

And what is The Cobra Effect?

According to Psychology Today, the Cobra Effect refers to the unintended repercussions of an incentive that was done to improve society or individual well-being.

The term is derived from a real-life event of an attempt to eliminate the snakes in India. The campaign backfired when the people, on the other hand, bred snakes in order to collect rewards for their capture.

However, given the price per rat is only capped at RM1, do you think there is a possibility for the campaign to backfire?

For illustration purposes only.

Will Malaysians attempt to breed rats in order to collect more rewards?

Also read: M’sian Rants About Hygiene in Seremban Hospital After a Rat Was Spotted in Children’s Ward