SINGAPORE - Thirty six rental flats in Radin Mas Constituency were given a coat of anti-mosquito paint by about 250 volunteers on Sunday (Oct 30), to mark the start of a two-year drive to introduce the paint to 216 such flats in the area.

The PAlettes of Radin Mas initiative, by the Radin Mas Grassroots Organisations and Kansai Paint, was launched at Block 105, Jalan Bukit Merah by Mr Sam Tan Chin Siong, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office and for Manpower.

The project involves government agencies, private sector, as well as students and other volunteers.

Mr Tan, MP for Radin Mas SMC, said the project will not only protect against mosquitoes but also brighten up residents' lives. Partners of the project include Renoworks and MacSham Pest Management.

The residents of the 216 flats are under the Public Assistance Scheme and were shortlisted by the Residents' Committee and Social Service Office. They will be painted with ALES Anti-MosQ, an almost odourless water-based interior paint developed by Kansai Paint. Kansai Paint is sponsoring the paint for the project.

The paint, which contains permethrin, deters mosquitoes and other small insects from landing on walls. It was successfully tested by Nee Soon Town Council earlier this year and will be used in 18 residential blocks there by the end of the year.

Tekka Centre near Little India has also called for tenders to repaint its food centre by removing its false ceiling and painting the concrete with the special paint in the coming months.