SHAH ALAM, Jan 12 — The state has never exported pigs, with its production unable to meet even its own demand, said state executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Dato’ Izham Hashim.
He said that claims made by some parties that Selangor is a major exporter are inaccurate
“We have never exported pigs, and I do not even know where such claims originated. Production has never been enough to meet the state’s own needs, so how could we export?
“Before the African Swine Fever outbreak, pig farming in Selangor only met about 60 per cent of the state’s needs, and current production levels have fallen to around 30 per cent. There is no question of exports,” Izham said during a media conference at the State Secretariat Building today.
He added that there are currently 115 pig farms in Selangor housing an estimated 100,000 pigs, down from 250,000 previously.
To meet local demand, the remaining pigs are imported from other states like Sarawak.
Previously, on Saturday (January 10), the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj expressed disagreement with the state government’s plan to allow pig farming in Tanjong Sepat, Kuala Langat, from this year, ahead of the farms’ relocation to Bukit Tagar in 2030.
His Royal Highness said he views the decision seriously, especially given the possibility that it may involve the development of large-scale pig farming oriented towards export markets.
In principle, the Ruler agrees with small-scale and well-controlled pig farming to meet the food needs of Chinese and other non-Muslim communities in Selangor.
This is after Izham's remarks on Thursday (January 8), when he said that the state government would allow pig farming activities to be carried out only at Ladang Tumbuk in Tanjung Sepat, Kuala Langat, before the modern pig farming centre in Bukit Tagar, Hulu Selangor, is completed in 2030.
However, following discussions at the State Executive Council (MMKN) and an audience with Sultan Sharafuddin today, the state government has decided to bring forward the relocation of pig farms to Bukit Tagar this year.
The site will cover about 500 acres and will feature enclosed farming systems, adequate buffer zones, and environmental controls to address odour and wastewater discharge.
Izham said existing pig farming sites will undergo land rehabilitation and be repurposed for agricultural use.
During the 45-minute royal audience today, His Royal Highness also emphasised to the councillor the importance of balancing food security needs for non-Muslims with environmental sustainability.
“This is not about restricting food for non-Muslims. Food security is a necessity, but we must also take into account environmental sustainability so that the whole community can live in harmony,” he said.
Izham noted that the state government is focusing on improving farming practices by enforcing modern, enclosed systems to minimise odour, prevent disease transmission, and stop wastewater from entering rivers.
