KLANG: Selangor has ceased issuing new pig farming licences and is working to close existing farm sites in Tanjong Sepat, says the Mentri Besar.
Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari (pic) said the closure of the pig farms would be expedited jointly with the state Veterinary Services Department. He said this was decided at a recent state executive council meeting, in line with a decree by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, that pig farms should not operate in any district in the state.
“In accordance with His Royal Highness’ decree issued last month, the state government has stopped issuing pig farming licences and is focusing on clearing existing farm sites in Tanjong Sepat,” Amirudin said in a statement yesterday.
The Mentri Besar said about 70% of pork consumed by non-Muslims in Selangor was sourced from other states.
He added that following the exco’s decision, the industry would fully rely on imports to meet local demand.
“Any issuance and approval of import licences will be referred to the federal government, in line with its licensing jurisdiction.“This is to preserve communal harmony and address concerns over the environmental impact of these farms, including water pollution and odour issues,” he said.
Amirudin said the exco’s decision should put an end to the polemic surrounding pig farming and prevent the issue from being prolonged in ways that could stir disharmony and ill-feeling among Selangor’s multiracial and multireligious communities.
Meanwhile, water quality modelling specialist Dr Zaki Zainudin said the state government’s decision was timely as pig-farming wastewater was a significant contributor to nationwide pollutant loading.
“From the Environmental Quality Report 2024, wastewater generated from pig-farming activities recorded the highest pollution load in terms of suspended solids (SS) estimated at approximately 309.8 tonnes a day, and the second highest load in terms of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) at about 149.2 tonnes a day,” he added.
Zaki said the same report highlighted Perak and Selangor as the states registering the highest loads of BOD, SS and ammonia associated with pig-farming operations.
“In addition, pig-farming activities may contribute heavy metals into the environment through wastewater discharge, manure handling and surface runoff pathways,” he added.
Pork seller Teh Kim Seng said he used to buy pigs from farmers in Tanjong Sepat in the past but stopped after 2020.
“We had difficulty getting our supply from Tanjong Sepat during the movement control order in 2020 and 2021, so I started buying from a neighbouring state. I have been buying from them since,” said Teh who runs a pork stall in Klang.
