GEORGE TOWN – The “no further action” directive in the case of Sg Kereh's pollution by neighbouring pig farms has taken the Penang government by surprise.
State Agrotechnology, Food Safety, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Norlela Ariffin said she will hold discussions with stakeholders to find out why the case cannot proceed at the legal level.
“In other states, there are also pollution cases investigated under Section 430 of the Penal Code. This is because the pollutants entered the drainage system. However, I will find out about this,” she told The Vibes.
Norlela was the one who instructed the Irrigation and Drainage Department to lodge a police report regarding water pollution in Sg Kereh.
Meanwhile, the Penang Sustainable Natural Heritage Association (Lekas) urged Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Shabudin Yahaya, who is also deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and law), to speak with the Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry about an act to unify matters relating to livestock at the federal level.
Lekas chairman Zikrullah Ismail said Shabudin should have taken a more responsible stance following the pollution issue in his parliamentary constituency, but unfortunately the latter did not see a solution as the problem had dragged on for too long.
“We think that it is not enough for him to just ride on the efforts of the Irrigation and Drainage Department in the construction of weirs, as the efforts of the department are under the jurisdiction of other ministries.
“Shabudin also must realize that the failure of the Penang government to reduce the Self Suffective Ratio (SSR) in line with River Carrying Capacity (RCC) is not a reason for him to not do anything or continue to point fingers, while the residents of Tasek Gelugor continue to suffer from the stench and the effects of Sg Kereh’s pollution,” he said.
The SSR for the state’s pig population is 265%.
Zikrullah said the issue of pollution from Kg Selamat’s pig farms entering Sg Kereh should be resolved immediately if the state government is serious about strictly controlling licenses through the Seberang Prai City Council and the Penang Veterinary Department.
“Now is not the time to let the irresponsible parties escape. The affected community has been patient for too long. Closing the case or letting this issue continue to be delayed is very inappropriate,” he said.
Yesterday, The Vibes reported the case drew to a close for the polluters of Sg Kereh in Kg Selamat, as the Penang deputy public prosecutor’s office was unable to definitively identify the culprit among more than 100 pig farmers in the area.
State prosecution director Khairul Anuar Abd Halim had said that the investigation paper was handed back to police at the end of last month, and confirmed that no prosecution will be made in the case. – The Vibes, June 1, 2021
