Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has conveyed Putrajaya’s stand on certain conditions for pig farms in Selangor during an audience with state ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, said government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi said Anwar briefed the cabinet on his audience with the sultan, which Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari also attended.
“The federal government maintained the position that pig farming can only be implemented in new areas located far from residential areas, or critical sources such as water supply.
“(Pig farms) should also adopt the use of the latest technology that is capable of managing waste and pollution issues very well,” Fahmi told a press conference.
This comes after the sultan withheld his consent for pig farming in the state, citing pollution and limited land resources.
In a statement in February, the Selangor Royal Office said: “His Royal Highness suggests that the government grant licences for the importation of pork to meet the demand and needs of non-Muslims, particularly the Chinese community, in Selangor”.
A day before the royal decree was issued, Anwar said that while the rights of pork consumers were respected, pig farming should not be in areas that could cause public concern.
He said the issue transcends race as he had a Chinese neighbour in Penang who consumed pork but did not want a pig farm nearby due to cleanliness and odour problems.
Following the ruler’s decree, Amirudin revealed that the state government had stopped issuing pig farming licences since January, while the closure of existing farms will be expedited.
Accusation of treason
Last month, DAP’s Seri Kembangan assemblyperson Wong Siew Ki faced harsh criticism from certain quarters after she urged the Selangor government to reconsider its approach to pig farming, including exploring modern and regulated systems.
She was accused of being “treasonous”, with critics arguing that her proposal was an affront to the sultan’s decree.
A day after her debate on the state ruler’s royal address, commotion erupted in the Selangor state legislative assembly after Perikatan Nasional representatives tried to raise an emergency motion to refer Wong for disciplinary proceedings.
Selangor PAS Youth chief Sukri Omar also led a protest at Wong’s office, while Selangor BN information chief Jamal Yunos suggested she leave the state if she could not accept the royal position. - Mkini
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