SHAH ALAM: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has reiterated that he does not consent to any form of pig farming activities being carried out in the state.
This comes barely 24 hours after Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said pig farming projects would only be permitted in new locations in the state situated far away from residential areas and critical resources, including waterways and rivers.
During his weekly media briefing yesterday, Fahmi said the matter was conveyed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, following an audience with the Sultan of Selangor and discussions with Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari on issues related to pig farming.
Fahmi had said that other considerations include the use of high-end technology which is capable of managing waste and pollution well.
In a statement today, the Sultan’s private secretary, Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani, said Sultan Sharafuddin’s statement was consistent with his decree issued on Feb 10.
“The Sultan expressed concern that such activities could affect water catchment areas and rivers which serve as sources of clean water supply to about nine million people in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya,” said Mohamad Munir.
Sultan Sharafuddin also said modern pig farming methods which comply with proper standards would involve high costs and, as such, would be impractical if they were only meant to meet pork supply needs in Selangor.
“The Sultan of Selangor is also of the view that pig farming, whether on a large or small scale, is unsuitable in Selangor given the state’s limited land resources and high property value, which should be used for more economic development that benefits society as a whole.”
Mohamad Munir said Sultan Sharafuddin suggested that pork be imported from other states, such as Sarawak, to meet the needs of non-Muslims in the state who consume pork.
“Sultan Sharafuddin said even countries like Singapore do not carry out pig farming and import pork from abroad,” Mohamad Munir added.
Mohamad Munir added that Sultan Sharafuddin decreed that the issue of pig farming be brought to a full stop to avoid public unease and to ensure peace and harmony in Selangor is preserved.
Seri Kembangan assemblyman Wong Siew Ki had, late last month, proposed a modern closed pig farming system. Her move, however, sparked criticism from critics who accused Wong of contradicting the Selangor Sultan’s decree in February.
Image: Royal Selangor Office