85 pig farms in Perak, all licensed, state exco assures
Qistina Nadia Dzulqarnain
Published: Apr 20, 2025 3:23 PM
Updated: 6:00 PM
Summary
- The Perak government says all 85 pig farms in the state are licensed, following claims from PN that there are illegal pig farms in Malay-majority areas.
- It cautions that moves to shut down such farms could cause a “crisis” in the market supply of chickens.
AYER KUNING POLLS | The Perak government has assured that all 85 pig farms operating in the state are equipped with licences, contrary to claims by Perikatan Nasional.
State executive councillor for human resources, health, Indian community affairs, and national integration, A Sivanesan, said all the farms the authorities have identified have received government approval.
“I have met every pig farmer in Perak, we even hold meetings every three months.
“They are all (conducting) legitimate rearing of pigs,” he told reporters at the sidelines of a Jualan Madani Rakyat programme in Ayer Kuning, Perak, today.
He added that as part of pig farm restructuring activities that the state government initiated 26 months ago, 25 percent of such establishments were shut down.
State executive councillor for human resources, health, Indian community affairs, and national integration, A Sivanesan, said all the farms the authorities have identified have received government approval.
“I have met every pig farmer in Perak, we even hold meetings every three months.
“They are all (conducting) legitimate rearing of pigs,” he told reporters at the sidelines of a Jualan Madani Rakyat programme in Ayer Kuning, Perak, today.
He added that as part of pig farm restructuring activities that the state government initiated 26 months ago, 25 percent of such establishments were shut down.
Disputing previous assertions by PN figures, Sivanesan clarified that there are only nine pig farms in Ayer Kuning, three of which have received approval to implement modern pig farming techniques.
The remaining six, he said, are in the process of securing similar approvals from authorities.
“The Manjoi assemblyperson (Perak PN Youth chief Hafez Sabri) said there are 30 pig farms in Batang Padang, but there are only 21.
“If the opposition wants to speak about an issue, they should know the facts of the matter.
“Tomorrow I will explain to the state legislative assembly (details on) how pigs entered our homeland, what the rearing process is like, and when it started,” Sivanesan added.
Chicken supply risk
He also said that while the state government holds the power to close down pig farms, such a move could result in detrimental consequences.
“If we close pig farms, 26 percent (of people) who eat pork as their protein of choice will have to find a different source.
“If they turn to chickens, the market supply of chickens will deteriorate, and that will cause another crisis,” he explained.
Earlier, PN raised concerns about an alleged excess of pig farms in Malay-majority areas within the Ayer Kuning state constituency, which is facing a by-election.
PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad said the farms pose environmental and health threats, claiming that PN’s field observations found “numerous” legal and illegal pig farms in areas with a high Malay-Muslim population.
Pig filth river?
PAS information committee research and policy department director Nurul Islam Mohamed Yusoff also doubled down on the allegations yesterday.
His challenge for Perak Amanah Youth to “bathe in the rivers” and prove that the water is free of pig farm contamination came after the latter criticised PN for playing up the issue ahead of the polls.
Ayer Kuning voters are set to cast their votes on April 26, with PN fielding Tapah PN chief Abd Muhaimin Malek while BN has opted to put forth Tapah Umno secretary Yusri Bakir.
PSM deputy secretary-general Bawani KS makes up the three-cornered race for the state seat under the Tapah parliamentary constituency.
Licensed Pig Farms but polluting the environment like crazy is meaningless.
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