SHAH ALAM, Jan 26 — The proposed central pig farm project in Bukit Tagar, Hulu Selangor, has been postponed for the state government to explore alternative plans, said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
He said the decision was made during last week’s Selangor State Executive Council meeting, and state executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Dato’ Izham Hashim has been told to find alternative sites for the project.
“We saw strong pushback there, then it was followed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s suggestion (to postpone the project), and we welcomed it, but we haven’t (decided whether to keep it) in that area or at another alternative or suggestion.
“This issue was actually half-baked; like we were going to build (the farm) yesterday or today. However, we will learn from this issue; maybe it was announced more or earlier than it should have been,” Amirudin said when met after he delivered his New Year’s address to civil servants today.
He said the project was meant to address the decades-long pollution issue from pig farming in Tanjung Sepat, Kuala Langat.
The menteri besar added that the Bukit Tagar central piggery was not meant to be a megaproject, but only to meet about 20 to 30 per cent of the state’s pork demand.
“We want to halt pollution. How? That’s what we must manage, so we will take the prime minister’s advice because this issue has gone beyond the actual matter and actual reality.
“It’s okay, we will delay it and cancel it temporarily while we get alternatives — other sites or methods,” Amirudin said.
On January 23, Anwar suggested the Bukit Tagar central pig farm project be postponed as the Cabinet said the issue involves environmental factors and has caused unease among Malaysia’s multiracial community, adding that he would discuss the matter with Amirudin.
