“Why target Muslim districts for pig farming, not Chinese New Village for its proximity to swine consumers?”

 

DETRACTORS were quick to seize Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris’ outrage with the state government’s decision to condone large scale pig farming operations by swiftly pointing fingers at the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-controlled Selangor from its Menteri Besar (MB) to DAP for purportedly masterminding such idea.

His Highness has expressed strongly disapproval with the state government’s decision to permit such project in Tajnong Sepat vicinity in Kuala Langat beginning this year prior to its re-location to Bukit Tagar in 2030.

In a strongly worded rant issued via Istana Shah Alam yesterday (Jan 10), Sultan Sharafuddin has described the proposed large-scale development as unjustifiable, insensitive and unbalanced with Selangor’s demographic realities given the state’s Malay Muslim majority – more so if the project is geared towards the export market.

Alluding to his own residence in the district – the Istana Pantai Bahagia – which is also affected by odour pollution stemming from pig farming activities in the area, the Selangor ruler conveyed deep regret:

“The Kuala Langat area is home to many Malay residents – and to this day – problems linked to pig farming in the area have not been fully resolved since 2010.

“Residents nearby have long endured various negative effects, including lingering foul odours, river water pollution and endless fly infestations which affect the quality of life and public health.”

Sultan Sharafuddin’s rejection of the mega scale pig farming project surely touched on raw nerve as evidenced by the 12K likes, 1.7K comments and 3.9K shares on the Selangor Royal Office Facebook page.

Beyond that, His Highness’ deep lament went viral as it was picked up by numerous Malay language news portals which sensationalised the challenge for elected representatives to live within pig farm confines so as to experience first-hand what nearby residents have endured.

At the very forefront of the firing line is the Selangor MB Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari with call for the PH Selangor chairman and PKR vice-president “to be deported back to his Johor home state”.

Many commenters to the Selangor Royal Office FB post were also enraged by greed and potential corrupt practices by politicians to lobby for export ambition given the 202-hectare project “is more than what Selangorian Chinese ids able to consume but sufficient supply to the entire Chinese continent”.

One insinuated the cunningness of DAP politicians and state EXCO who conveniently avoided the stench and pollution by “smartly targetting Malay-majority districts as pig farming sites”.

“I suggest, build a pig farm in a new Chinese village or in a Chinese population area in accordance with the demographics of the community who consume pork daily. God willing, we Muslims will not object,” he mocked.

This is when a debate ensued between the commenter and another netizen over the claim that the idea was in fact mooted by “a Malay state EXCO from PKR” which somehow vindicated the Chinese-dominant DAP.

The duo was at loggerheads over the authority of the PAS Kuala Langat MP and the Tanjong Sepat state assemblyman in handling the porky matter.

“Parliament is under the Federal government; even if you win the parliamentary seat, an MP, can’t doesn’t have authority in the state assembly which is controlled by the Madani assemblymen,” justified the commenter.

“In the state, the assemblymen have more power to make state government policies, not MPs.” 

 - Focus Malaysia