Penang steps up efforts to tackle pollution from Kg Selamat pig farms

BUTTERWORTH: The Penang government has taken measures to address sewage pollution from pig farms at Kampung Selamat, near Tasek Gelugor, including requiring all farms to send their wastewater to a biogas plant in Ampang Jajar.

Local government committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye said this was part of the state government’s effort to prevent sewage from livestock farms from being discharged into drains or rivers.

“The matter was discussed at a meeting with the state veterinary services department (DVS) and the local assemblyman in April.

“All pig farms at Kampung Selamat have been required to send their sewage waste to the biogas plant in Ampang Jajar since May,” he told reporters after officiating the opening of SkyGate NHJ Technology Sdn Bhd in Perai today.

He said DVS conducts weekly monitoring, while complaints are investigated by its officers.

“Surprise inspections are also carried out, but so far, no farms in the area have been found discharging sewage directly into drains or rivers,” he said.

Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan had called for immediate action to address sewage pollution from pig farms in the area, which he claimed had burdened residents for decades.

Wan Saiful said he was gathering scientific evidence of the pollution, including through sampling in the Parit Cina area.

H’ng said the state government is also considering the issue of sediment and sewage waste that have accumulated in drains in the area over the years.

“Once the clean-up of old waste is completed, the state government plans to allocate funds for the irrigation and drainage department to carry out desilting work on the drains,” he said.