KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 -Pig farming projects will only be permitted in new locations situated far from residential areas and critical resources, including waterways and rivers, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
The matter was conveyed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during a Cabinet meeting today, following an audience with the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj and discussions with Selangor Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari on issues related to pig farming.
“The Federal government has taken the position that any pig farming activity must be located in new areas away from residential areas and critical resources such as rivers and waterways.
“In addition, such projects must adopt high-technology systems capable of effectively managing waste and pollution,” he said during a weekly media conference at Angkasapuri today.
Also present were Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, Communications Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, its deputy editor-in-chief of news services Mohd Shukri Ishak, and RTM director-general Aswad Ismail.
Fahmi, who is also the MADANI government spokesman, said Anwar also instructed the National Unity Ministry to coordinate further discussions on unregistered houses of worship with relevant ministries and agencies.
The move involves collaboration with the Housing and Local Government Ministry, the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry, the Home Ministry, the Federal Territories Department, and other stakeholders.
On the water supply situation in several states, which has reached critical levels, particularly at dams, he said mitigation measures, including cloud seeding, would be intensified.
The operations will involve the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, with coordination and funding provided by the National Disaster Management Agency.
Commenting on the BUDI Diesel initiative and other subsidy rationalisation mechanisms, Fahmi said the matter had been discussed at the National Economic Action Council meeting yesterday and the Cabinet meeting today, but no final decision has been made.
The Prime Minister had requested a thorough review to ensure smooth, error-free implementation.
Meanwhile, he said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission had identified more than 600 pieces of fake content on social media since March 29, involving issues such as fuel prices, global supply concerns and content designed to incite public panic.
“Initial investigations do not rule out the possibility of coordinated inauthentic behaviour, as the content used similar graphics and was disseminated within a close timeframe,” Fahmi said.
The minister noted that eight cases have resulted in compounds totalling RM200,000, while another five cases are being prepared for prosecution or are under review by the Deputy Public Prosecutor.