'Pig farm issue won’t affect non-Malay support for PN'

 

PAS Supporters Congress (DHPP) believes that criticism over illegal pig farming raised during the Ayer Kuning by-election campaign will not impact non-Malay support for Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) candidate.

DHPP central deputy chief Shawn Loh Sheng Nian said the non-Malay community also wants a clean and healthy environment, and would not view PN’s stance on the issue negatively.

“I believe PN’s criticisms on pollution caused by illegal pig farming in Ayer Kuning will not affect non-Malay votes for our candidate.

“To ensure the health of residents and the environment, pig farms must be monitored and inspected to determine whether they are still operating in compliance with regulations.

“If there are any activities or illegal operations harming the environment, immediate action must be taken,” he said in a statement to Malaysiakini today.

The issue became a point of contention during the campaign after PN raised concerns about the presence of pig farms in Malay-majority areas in Ayer Kuning.

Residents’ concerned

PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad recently claimed that residents had brought up the matter with PN’s candidate, warning that the farms could pose a threat to the environment and public health.

According to information on the Perak Veterinary Services Department website, there are 30 licensed pig farms in the Batang Padang and Muallim districts.

PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad

The Ayer Kuning by-election on April 26 will see a three-cornered contest between BN Yusri Bakir, PN’s Abd Muhaimin Malek, and PSM’s Bawani KS.

Shawn, who is also the Malacca DHPP chief, recently hit the campaign trail in support of PN’s candidate in Kampung Baru Coldstream.

He said the village is the polling district with the largest concentration of Chinese voters in the constituency.

“In this village, the voters make up 90 percent of the total Chinese electorate in Ayer Kuning.

“During our visits and engagement sessions, voters were positive and enthusiastic. Villagers expressed their confidence in the PN candidate,” he said. - Mkini