TASEK GELUGOR – Farmers here are relieved as the problem of pig waste in the area has been addressed, said Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Shabudin Yahaya.
He said his constituency office has been looking into the welfare of the farmers with cooperation of the Penang Drainage and Irrigation Department and Integrated Agricultural Development Areas for the past two years.
“Through this cooperation, we created a new tributary at a cost of RM2.3 million from government allocations. The new river will get its source of water from Sg Jarak, which comes from Sg Kulim and several other rivers that are not polluted by pig waste.
“The water is channelled into padi fields in Pokok Tampang, Permatang Berangan and Lahar Yooi... So, the farmers’ grouses have been resolved, including areas in Lebuh Banting. They are satisfied and grateful to the government for ensuring their well-being,” he said here today.
Shabudin said the people should understand that the issue of pig waste pollution involves two parliamentary constituencies – Tasek Gelugor and Kepala Batas.
“Currently, Sg Kereh in Kulim constituency is still polluted, and the matter should be addressed as well.”
Shabudin said there is a proposal that suggests changing the agricultural land of pig farms into development land, adding that it that should be taken up by the state government to resolve the prolonged issue.
“If the (state) government changes the land use to development, I think that the residents and land owners of the area will agree, as the value of land will appreciate as well,” he said. – Bernama, December 25, 2020
