TAMPARULI Assemblyman Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau called for stricter licensing requirements for livestock farms, citing long-standing water supply disruptions and river pollution in his constituency allegedly linked to poultry and pig farming.
Debating the Animal (Amendment) Enactment Bill 2026 in the Sabah State Legislative Assembly on Thursday, Madius said residents of Tamparuli had for years experienced water supply interruptions due to contamination of raw water sources, particularly Sungai Bawang and Sungai Mangkaladoi.
He said the Telibong I Water Treatment Plant had also experienced repeated operational disruptions because of high ammonia levels in its raw water source, affecting water supply to consumers.
According to Madius, information available to him indicates that there are more than 19 poultry farms operating in the Tamparuli constituency, in addition to pig farms with an estimated livestock population exceeding 50,000.
He said efforts to strengthen food security should not come at the expense of water security.
“There is little value in producing millions of chickens and eggs if people continue to face water supply disruptions caused by pollution of raw water sources,” he said.
Madius urged the relevant ministry to confirm the actual number of livestock farms and animals registered with the Department of Veterinary Services to provide the State Legislative Assembly with official data for policymaking and enforcement.
He also proposed that the licensing system under the Animal (Amendment) Enactment Bill 2026 include stricter effluent management requirements, regular environmental monitoring and stronger enforcement measures.
“The licensing of livestock farms and slaughterhouses is no longer optional but necessary. Sabah needs a more modern, systematic and effective regulatory framework to ensure the livestock industry continues to grow without compromising public interests and the environment,” he said.
