Govt Under Fire for Pig Unit Approvals

MALAYSIA - The new Selangor state government, which includes the opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), has come under fire from Umno-backed groups after it gave the go-ahead for a RM100 million (S$43 million) modern pig farm.

The decision has provoked the biggest opposition yet to the month-old state government, including public protests peppered with racial-religious overtones, says the Straits Times.

The Umno-backed, Malay-language Utusan Malaysia has published a series of articles condemning the proposed pig farm since the decision was made public early this month.

Other Malay newspapers have also expressed concerns about the project, saying that Muslims living near the farm are uneasy as well as raising environmental concerns.

Last week, about 200 residents from Selangor, believed to be backed by Umno, demonstrated in front of the state government's office in Shah Alam.

No Threat to Residents

However, a report in the Malay Mail says that the living conditions and comfort of residents living near the proposed RM100 million cent pig farm in Ladang Tum buk is not under threat, said the Selangor government, as the nearest village is located 0.8 kilometres away.

This was the assurance to res idents given by Selangor Exco for Agriculture Modernisation, Natural Resources and Entrepreneurial De velopment Yaakob Sapari.

Speaking to reporters after briefing State assemblymen on the project at the State govern ment headquarters yesterday, he said the residents have nothing to fear as their way of life is not at risk.

In an effort to placate protest ing parties and Ladang Tumbuk residents, Yaakob said the farms would be fully covered and air-conditioned so there would be no foul smell.

It would also help to control insects and the spread of viral diseases such as JE and Nipah.

View the Straits Times story by clicking here or view the Malay Mail story by clicking here

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