SHAH ALAM, Jan 17 (Bernama) -- The Selangor government has yet to identify an alternative location to replace Bukit Tagar as the new site for the relocation of pig farms in the state, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said.
However, he said the state government remains open and is providing space for discussions with all parties to ensure the implementation of a more orderly and comprehensive livestock management system.
“So far, there is no alternative location. We will continue to identify and review other suitable sites if necessary, and we will ensure that avenues for discussion remain open,” he said.
“State Infrastructure and Agriculture Committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim has provided several explanations on the reasons the location was selected, and the state government is prepared to hold discussions or offer further clarification based on data and facts,” he said after attending the Adab dan Warisan Sendeng Nusantara (ADIWIRA) at Wisma Perbadanan Pertanian Selangor here today.
Amirudin said this when asked to comment on the action of 37 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that submitted a memorandum of objection yesterday at the Selangor State Secretariat (SUK) Building compound regarding the proposed relocation of the farms.
Elaborating further, Amirudin said the state government understands the concerns raised by the community, but is currently focused on closing down unregulated farming areas and developing a new, more comprehensive and environmentally friendly system to minimise the impact of odour, noise and disturbance to residents.
“The proposed system adopts a zero-emission concept and will be implemented immediately, as we cannot allow the sites to remain open any longer.
“This move is also in line with the decree of His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, for the area to be closed in order to protect the river and the environment,” he said.
Last Monday, the Selangor government decided to expedite the relocation of pig farms in Kuala Langat and Sepang to a modern livestock centre in Bukit Tagar, Hulu Selangor, by the end of this year at the latest, in an effort to address various pollution issues and ensure environmental sustainability.
-- BERNAMA
