AS expected, the proposed centralised pig farming project (CPFP) in Tumbuk Estate, Kuala Langat, Selangor, has been tarnished by political, racial and religious connotations.

One can understand the feelings and misgivings of the Malay villagers affected by the CPFP in their midst. Many of the surrounding kampungs have regularly won prizes in competitions held by the state government for being the best landscaped and most beautiful traditional kampung.

The previous state government had earmarked Tumbuk Estate for the project. Furthermore, the same government had earlier outlined a blueprint to develop the Langat River Basin and the Morib -Bagan Lallang coastline into a Second Klang Valley and Gold Coast respectively.

Wouldn’t such a large pig, or for that matter any livestock farm, be a major turn-off for developers, investors and residents? Just because the previous administration approved the pig-farming project in Tumbuk Estate is no excuse to stubbornly continue with it, more so when better options can be found.

The proposal by the Malaysian Muslim Solidarity Movement that Pulau Ketam be used instead is not feasible considering the logistical problems, as huge quantities of feed and pork will have to be transported in either direction. Barges and old boats will not be enough for this.

In my opinion, the better location would be Carey Island, a large island mostly with oil palm plantations and a small population of estate workers (mainly foreigners), Orang Asli and fishermen. A CPFP involving a few hundred acres can sit snugly on the island without any major environmental problem or opposition from residents.

The island is linked by a bridge across the Langat River and offers favourable logistical support, being connected to the widened Klang- Banting road and highways. Barges can also complement transport needs.

This site is about 50km nearer than the one in Tumbuk and occupies a more central position in the Klang Valley, its main marketing area. The state government can either buy the required land from the plantation firms or utilise government reserves for the project on the island.

Being confined to an island, pig farming can be secluded from populated and developed areas and can also be easily isolated and quarantined in case of a disease outbreak. With the latest technology, pollution and odour can be minimised. The CPFP should be a fully integrated and self-contained set-up (inclusive of feedmills, veterinary services research labs, bio-gas plants etc) from breeding to slaughtering, to ensure exposure is kept to a minimum.

Other states should find their own solutions. It is not Selangor’s business to supply pork to other states.

Once the CPFP is completed, the state authorities should vigorously clamp down on all pig farms and slaughterhouses to end the problem once and for all.

The CPFP should be run ideally as a cooperative involving all hog farmers in Selangor so as to draw on their experience and expertise to ensure that the enterprise is viable and successful.

The government should ensure that health and environmental safeguards are strictly adhered to in the CPFP.

V. THOMAS, Sungai Buloh

Source: NST – August 5, 2008