Exemption granted to illegal pig farmers in Penang baffles green group

GEORGE TOWN – The planning permission exemption given to pig farmers operating without a licence in Kg Selamat, Nibong Tebal, has perplexed Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM).

The environmental group’s honorary secretary, S. Mageswari, told The Vibes that it is only a short-term solution to the pollution in Sg Kereh.

“From our general survey, we found that some of the pig farms are located close to residential areas.

“In fact, there are also new housing development projects coming up close by, and effluents from the pig farms will flow through drains and the river there.

“If the exemption is given to pig farmers, the barns will not be evaluated by enforcement agencies, such as the Environment Department (DoE), Irrigation and Drainage Department, and so on.

“In fact, the infrastructure in the area near the barns cannot be improved due to the exemption.”

According to the Town and Country Planning Act 1976, those applying for planning permission must submit proposals on the alignment, width and level of roads and back lanes, as well as the height, design, size and use of buildings.

This is to ensure that all development and land use is carried out in an orderly manner, and does not cause the issues of pollution, traffic congestion, flooding and disturbance to the neighbourhood.

It is understood that Penang DoE has not agreed to the exemption.

Mageswari said the Sg Kereh pollution has been an issue brought up by SAM for the past 20 years.

“The Environment and Water Ministry has created a working committee that includes us. SAM hopes this issue can be resolved immediately, and will not drag on.”

The Vibes yesterday reported that traditional pig farmers in Kg Selamat have been granted a reprieve by the Seberang Prai City Council as they are exempted from submitting their planning permissions, which were supposed to be submitted by December 31 for the purpose of upgrading and modernising their facilities.

Nearly 50 pig farms there are believed to have been operating without a licence for more than 40 years.

The situation has resulted in over 1,000 residents, especially in neighbouring Kg Tok Bedu, suffering the stench emanating from Sg Kereh, which is polluted by pig faeces discharged from the farms. – The Vibes, December 13, 2020