The Selangor government has confirmed it stopped issuing new pig farming licences in January this year and will now phase out all existing pig farms in the state.
Response to royal call for complete halt
Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari said the state executive council had taken serious note of Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s advice yesterday to end pig farming entirely in Selangor.
“The state government has ceased issuing pig farming licences since January and has focused on vacating the existing pig farms in Tanjong Sepat,” Amirudin said in a statement.
He added that current operations would be closed in stages in line with the ruler’s guidance.
Pig farms in Tanjong Sepat have faced criticism for improper waste disposal and failure to meet environmental regulations.
Shift away from local production plans
The state had earlier proposed centralising pig farming in Bukit Tagar, Hulu Selangor, to better manage the industry.
However, the Selangor state executive council cancelled those plans last month following strong objections reported by infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Izham Hashim.
Sultan Sharafuddin yesterday called for a full stop to both large- and small-scale pig farming, citing the environmental damage caused by such activities and Selangor’s demographic makeup.
The ruler highlighted the state’s limited land and said it should be used for purposes that benefit the wider population.
Import reliance to meet pork demand
Sultan Sharafuddin also urged the government to issue more licences for pork imports to ensure sufficient supply for non-Muslim communities.
Selangor currently imports 70 per cent of its pork needs.
Amirudin confirmed that future pork supply in the state would rely entirely on imports, with the authority to issue and approve import licences resting with the federal government.
“This decision was made to safeguard the sensitivities of those in the community who are concerned about the impact of pig farms on the environment, including water drainage and odour pollution,” he explained.
He appealed to all parties to avoid prolonging debate on the matter, warning that continued controversy could harm harmony and breed mistrust among Selangor’s multiracial and multi-religious society.
