Lab Results Show Sg Bidor Polluted By Pig Farm Pn

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AYER KUNING POLLS | Perikatan Nasional has claimed to have evidence proving that Sungai Bidor suffered pollution due to a nearby pig farm in Kampung Poh.
ADSPAS vice-president Idris Ahmad said the coalition sent water samples from the river to a private lab.
“Tests confirmed that effluent discharged (from the pig farm) into Sungai Bidor is polluted and untreated,” he told a press conference at PN’s operations centre in Bidor, Perak.
“This contradicts the statements made by the Perak government in the state legislative assembly, claiming that all pig farmers comply with the Pig Farming Control Enactment 1993 and Pig Farming Control Methods 2009 regulations.”
PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad (middle)The Bagan Serai MP stressed that the results are “deeply concerning” as the river is a secondary water source for Ayer Kuning residents and a recreational destination for residents and tourists.
“During the water crisis earlier this year, Tapah residents had to use the river water for their daily needs.
“Imagine drinking, taking ablution (wuduk), and washing the bodies of the deceased using pig-contaminated water,” he added.
Reiterating concerns that pig farmers in the area might not be adhering to operational requirements, Idris highlighted that under the enactment, it is an offence for licence-holders to “dispose, release, or discharge untreated pig waste into any river, lake, or sea.”
He said that while PN is unsure whether the pig farm has obtained the required licences, authorities must do their part to ensure such farms comply with established regulations.
“Is the Perak government truly serious about tackling the pig farm pollution issue that has long haunted Ayer Kuning residents, or is this just a sleight-of-hand to protect pig farms in clear violation of the enactment?
“Does the state government prioritise law-breaking pig farmers over the people of Ayer Kuning?” he questioned.
Visit to pig farm and river
PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari and Perak PN Youth chief Hafez Sabri brought media personnel to view the pig farm in question today.
ADSAlso present during the trip was PAS’ Jerantut MP Khairil Nizam Khirudin and PAS information committee research and policy department director Nurul Islam Mohamed Yusoff.
The politicians also brought media personnel to a location within walking distance from several homes in Kampung Poh, to view sections of the allegedly contaminated Sungai Bidor.
They pointed out several areas where sewage pipes from the pig farm, located around 140m away, appeared to be leaking an unidentified substance.
Hafez urged the authorities, including Perak Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad, to visit the site for themselves “instead of sitting in air-conditioned offices” to properly resolve the issue.
He also said PN Youth will file a police report on the matter at the Tapah district police headquarters later today.
PN is also expected to file a report with the MACC tomorrow.
PN’s candidate for the Ayer Kuning by-election, Abd Muhaimin Malek, yesterday pledged to shut down illegal pig farms that fail to comply with licensing conditions if he emerges victorious at the polls this Saturday.
The coalition has jumped on the pig farm issue as a central campaign point in its bid for the Malay-majority state seat, which is under the MIC-held Tapah parliamentary constituency.
State govt clarification
Perak state executive councillor for human resources, health, Indian community affairs, and national integration, A Sivanesan, previously said that all 85 pig farms operating in the state are licensed.
He also clarified that there are nine pig farms in Ayer Kuning - three have received approval to implement modern pig farming techniques.
The remaining six, he said, are in the process of securing similar approvals from authorities.
Ayer Kuning voters will head to the polls on April 26 after a two-week campaign period, with PN fielding Muhaimin, who is also the Tapah PN chief, while BN has opted to put forth Tapah Umno secretary Yusri Bakir.
PSM deputy secretary-general Bawani KS makes up the three-cornered race for the state seat, which was declared vacant following the death of its incumbent Umno assemblyperson, Ishsam Shahruddin, on Feb 22. - Mkini

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