.png)
THE Selangor state government has put on hold and temporarily cancelled any proposals involving pig farming development in Bukit Tagar, Hulu Selangor, amid strong objections from residents and calls for more comprehensive evaluation, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari announced on Monday.
Amirudin said the matter had previously been deliberated at the State Executive Council level, including instructions to the State Infrastructure and Agriculture Exco, Datuk Ir Izham Hashim, to explore alternative sites following objections raised by communities living near the proposed area.
“The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, himself was informed of this matter last Wednesday,” Amirudin said. “We are aware that there are strong objections, and therefore I have instructed that alternative locations be identified.”
He was speaking to reporters after delivering the New Year 2026 address at Dewan Raja Muda Musa, Selangor Youth and Culture Complex, Section 7, Shah Alam.
Amirudin stressed, however, that the state government would not disclose any potential alternative sites at this stage, as no final decision has been made.
“This issue must be handled more prudently, including engagement with stakeholders, social impact assessments and a more orderly process,” he said.
He acknowledged that confusion and misunderstandings had arisen at an early stage, giving the impression that decisions had been made hastily.
“The issue has gone beyond the actual reality, and that is why we decided to postpone and cancel it for the time being, while we provide clear explanations to all parties,” he said.
At the same time, Amirudin assured that the state government would continue to safeguard the interests of all stakeholders, including the operators involved, and that any eventual decision would be made fairly and equitably.
“Discussions with the operators will continue. We want a solution that is fair, reasonable and does not disrupt social harmony,” he said.
On Jan 12, news reports cited that plans to relocate pig farms from Kuala Langat and Sepang to a modern centralised facility in Bukit Tagar were expected to be expedited before the end of the year.
However, residents from four Felda settlements in the district subsequently appealed to the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, to intervene and instruct the state government not to proceed with the relocation, citing concerns over proximity to residential areas and water sources.
Earlier, Amirudin had said that the Selangor government had yet to identify an alternative site for the proposed centralised pig farming relocation to Bukit Tagar, but remained open to reviewing other locations if necessary.
On Jan 10, the Sultan of Selangor expressed his disappointment and disagreement with the state government’s plan to allow temporary pig farming operations in Tanjong Sepat before relocating them to Bukit Tagar by 2030.
His Royal Highness said the palace did not agree, particularly due to the possibility of large-scale pig farming oriented towards export markets.
Last Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recommended that the proposed centralised pig farming project in Bukit Tagar, which has caused unease among local communities, be cancelled for the time being or relocated to a more suitable area. - January 26, 2026