PN sees red over 'too many' pig farms in Ayer Kuning
Qistina Nadia Dzulqarnain
Published: Apr 17, 2025 12:49 PM
Updated: 3:38 PM
Summary
- PN claims there are too many pig farms in Ayer Kuning, with some of the farms located in predominantly Malay-Muslim areas.
- PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad says the Perak government should not be scared to take action against potentially illegal farms.
- He draws comparisons with enforcement action by Pahang state authorities against unlicensed durian farmers.
AYER KUNING POLLS | Perikatan Nasional has raised concerns about an alleged excess of pig farms in Malay-majority areas within the Ayer Kuning state constituency.
Claiming that residents had raised the issue with PN representatives recently, PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad said the farms pose environmental and health threats.
"According to information on the Perak Veterinary Department's website, there are 30 licensed pig farms in the Batang Padang and Mualim districts alone.
"If illegal pig farms are also taken into account, the actual figure (of operational farms) could be significantly higher," Idris told a press conference at PN's operations centre in Bidor, Perak, today.
The Bagan Serai MP added that PN's field observations found "numerous" legal and illegal pig farms in Malay-majority areas, such as Kampung Tanjung Keramat, which has a 98.9 percent Muslim population.
"Residents in these areas have to put up with foul odours daily while also facing the constant threat of infectious diseases due to waste pollution caused by these pig farms," he added.
‘Why approve?’
As such, he questioned Perak Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad on the rationale behind the state government's approval of pig farms in predominantly Malay-Muslim areas.
Calling for the licensed pig farms to be relocated to more suitable areas, Idris also said illegal farms should face strict enforcement action, including orders to cease operations immediately.
Besides implementing a zero-discharge policy into rivers, he added that the state government should mandate the use of modern farming systems to eliminate odours.
He also drew comparisons with Pahang state authorities' enforcement action against unlicensed durian farmers in Raub, asserting that Perak should follow suit in a similar manner to tackle the pig farms issue.
"If the Pahang government can take firm action against illegal Musang King durian farms, does the Perak government not have the courage to act against illegal pig farms?
"We want firm action, not excuses. The people of Ayer Kuning have suffered for far too long," he stressed.
‘Universal concern’
A total of 56 percent of Ayer Kuning voters are Malay. Chinese voters make up 21 percent of the electorate, followed by 14 percent of Indians while the remaining voters consist of Orang Asli and other minorities.
When asked if PN's move to speak up on the pig farms issue could affect support from the non-Malay community, Idris said the matter is a "universal" concern which affects residents of all races.
PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad points toward a map of Ayer Kuning containing pig farms
"This is a question of the rakyat's welfare, not a political issue. It must be voiced to ensure the rakyat's betterment.
"Residents from kampung (areas) sometimes don't know who to channel their woes to, (but) PN managed to pick up on this issue when the state government should have noticed it sooner," he added.
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 is also in the three-cornered race for the state seat under the Tapah parliamentary constituency.
"Residents from kampung (areas) sometimes don't know who to channel their woes to, (but) PN managed to pick up on this issue when the state government should have noticed it sooner," he added.
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 is also in the three-cornered race for the state seat under the Tapah parliamentary constituency.