During every General Election, there is always a hot-button topic that grabs us by our collective collars and never lets go.

For instance, in 2006, the Lift Upgrading Programme was the talk of the town. The 2011 election? The influx of foreign talents.

So, it got us thinking. What would be the narrative of the next election?

Judging by the reactions from the Internet, we smell a rat. Or rather, rats; the Bukit Batok rats problem could be a strong contender.

Let's start from the top.

It was reported in several media outlets that the slope next to Bukit Batok MRT station is infested with a colony of dog-biting rats.

The authorities reacted swiftly and sent a team of pest commandos soon after and began Operation Kill-em-All the next day. As of Friday evening (Dec. 19, 2014), more than 70 rats were killed.

Up to this moment, the water was just slightly choppy, with some netizens disgusted with the number of rats.

And then The Straits Times opened the dam with this story:

The authorities said that even though they have been carrying out anti-pest operations, the problem won't go away unless people stop feeding the stray dogs in Bukit Batok, a joint statement released on Thursday by the Housing Development Board (HDB), the National Environment Agency (NEA), the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA), and Jurong Town Council stated.

The Internet went absolutely ape-s**t.

Taichi Masters fall in!

Is the town council snoozing?

It's a what?

Because the problem isn't actually breaking news.

The solution is actually quite simple?

People are naturally angry about this.

 Bukit Batok residents, fess up.

Erm, sounds legit?

The Internet politicking has begun

Who is the Member of Parliament?

FYI, the MP is David Ong. And he did speak up. Here's a Today report:

Jurong GRC Member of Parliament (MP) David Ong said there were no laws against the feeding of stray animals, but added that the public should not do it irresponsibly. He yesterday also attributed the vermin problem to the indiscriminate feeding of stray animals. Food sources at the MRT station could have also attracted the rats, he said.

Mr Ong told TODAY that the issue would be a persistent one. “(We need to) step up vigilance and get (the) public to stop indiscriminate feeding.”

Suddenly Grace Fu is arrowed.

Dr Tan Cheng Bock thinks rats might cause trains to breakdown.

Don't always blame the government.

Not sure if sarcastic. 

But thankfully our sense of humour is intact.

Let's see who will rat on each other at the next election. We wait with bated breath.

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