AYER KUNING POLLS | Perikatan Nasional has spent much of the past two weeks campaigning in the Ayer Kuning by-election, focusing on pig farms said to impact local constituents.
Several Malay voters approached by Malaysiakini acknowledged that pig farms near residential areas pose certain concerns.
However, whether PN’s intense spotlight on the matter can burn a hole in support for BN remains to be seen.
For Hisamuddin Ayob, it would be best for the future Ayer Kuning representative to work on moving pig farms to a “more suitable” location away from predominantly Malay homes.
The 57-year-old, who had plenty to say about how such farms assault one’s sense of smell, said such odours are particularly strong when it rains in the Tanjung Keramat neighbourhood.
Adding that residents are also hounded by a massive amount of flies believed to be linked to the farms, Hisamuddin conveyed his hopes that the incoming assemblyperson, regardless of party affiliation, will focus on resolving the issue.
“It doesn’t matter to me which party (a candidate) is from, as long as they can help the rakyat,” he said while stopping to have lunch before going on about his day.
“(An elected assemblyperson) should be there whenever their constituents face problems instead of just showing their face when they want us to vote for them.”
His sentiments were echoed by Sahak Tahir, 61, who also vehemently opposed suggestions for existing farms to incorporate modern pig farming methods.
“No matter what is done, this is a Malay area. It is unsuitable for pig farms to be here.
“We have been unhappy over this for a long time now. The farms must be moved to avoid the prolonging of this issue; we don’t want it to cause tensions among the people here,” the retiree added.
However, Sahak (above, left) was bemused by PN’s attempt to rile up voters with pig farm issues.
He insisted the coalition played a part in exacerbating problems when it was in the Perak government by approving such farms close to Malay-majority neighbourhoods.
He opined that while PN could see some increased support from voters backing its fight against pig farms, such additional traction might not be enough for it to threaten BN’s projected win in the by-election tomorrow.
Besides alleging an oversupply of pig farms in the Ayer Kuning area, PN has also claimed to have scientific evidence proving that Sungai Bidor was contaminated by pollutants from a Kampung Poh pig farm.
PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad argued that while the farm is not within the state constituency, the river which flows into the area also acts as a secondary water source and recreation spot for a “majority” of residents in the locality.
Some sceptical, have other concerns
Despite the coalition’s continued championing of the issue, small business owner Baharin Mohamad, 47, said voters are growing tired of listening to PN harp on the issue without going into details on what it can offer Ayer Kuning residents if it secures the Perak state seat.
“Even if you (PN) settle this pig farm issue, will our kampung then be better developed? No, you’ll just be solving one problem and abandoning the rest,” he said when met at his eatery opposite a small commercial block in Changkat Petai.
Noting that there is only one pig farm in the area, Baharin said that while there are occasionally unpleasant odours, it is not a round-the-clock ordeal alleged by PN.
Expressing similar sentiments, Isham Maarof, 24, said that while he is bothered by pig farms in Malay-majority localities, he is more concerned about making a livelihood to sustain himself and his family.
The factory worker, when met at a roadside stall in Ayer Kuning Selatan, said he is hoping the new assemblyperson, whoever it may be, can instead address the shortage of jobs for youths in the small town.
He noted that while there are plenty of factories and farms in the area, most seem to prefer hiring migrant labourers over locals.
Ayer Kuning voters will cast their ballots tomorrow after a two-week campaign period, during most of which PN raised various issues regarding pig farms in the Malay-majority state seat under the MIC-held Tapah parliamentary constituency.
PN is 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, which was declared vacant following the death of its incumbent Umno assemblyperson, Ishsam Shahruddin, on Feb 22. - Mkini
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