State Natural Resources and Environmental Board environmental quality controller Dr Penguang Manggil said the RM26.9 million project, situated on a 800ha site, can accommodate up to 250,000 pigs.

He said the state government wanted to centralise pig farms around the Kuching and Kota Semarahan areas for better control against pollution.

Pig farms situated near residential areas, main roads and other sensitive areas have no choice but to move to the farm.

"The present farms at these areas must move. They have no choice but to follow our directive. Once the anchor farm is completed, we will notify them and a time frame will be given for them to move. If they refuse, the state government will impose a penalty. However, the penalty has not been set yet," he said.

The initial cost of setting up the centralised farm included the construction of a 2.7-km tarred access road, at RM5.8 million. The infrastructure works for waste treatment (27.5ha) and workers accommodation (20.2ha), costing about RM7.3 million, is 44 per cent complete.