PN gives Perak govt 24 hours to address pig farm pollution before revealing lab results

BIDOR - Perikatan Nasional (PN) has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Perak state government to address allegations of untreated pig farm waste polluting the Bidor River.

The warning came ahead of PN's plans to publicly disclose laboratory test results confirming water pollution in the area.

Pas vice-president Datuk Idris Ahmad said the matter was both urgent and too serious to be ignored, highlighting that the issue has been ongoing for far too long without resolution.

"We give the state government 24 hours to respond to this issue before we disclose the laboratory test results," he said during a press conference today.

Earlier, PN collected water samples from the Bidor River, a critical secondary water source for Tapah and its surrounding areas and sent them to a private laboratory for analysis.

Tests for Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Total Coliform levels revealed the effluent discharged into the river was untreated and heavily polluted.

"These findings contradict the state government’s claims in the state legislative assembly that all pig farms comply with the Pig Farming Control Enactment 1993 and the Pig Farming Control Rules 2009.

"The pollution is a direct result of untreated pig waste being discharged into the river, creating health and environmental hazards," he said.

He said residents in areas such as Ayer Kuning and Kampung Poh have long endured the effects of water pollution, foul odors and health risks caused by nearby pig farms.

He said the Bidor River, once a recreational and secondary water source, became the primary water supply during a prolonged water crisis in Tapah earlier this year.

"Residents were forced to use water contaminated by pig waste for daily activities such as bathing, drinking and washing bodies of the deceased," he added.

He added that the lab findings raised serious concerns about whether pig farms adhered to the Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP) and the Pollution Control Guidelines for Pig Farming Activities issued by the Environment Department and Veterinary Services Department.

PN pointed out discrepancies in the state government's oversight, alleging that State Executive Councillor for Health Sivanesan Achalingam had previously claimed pig farms were meeting licensing requirements including the rule that they would be at least 200 metres away from residential areas.

However, the reality on the ground painted a different picture.

In Kampung Poh, for instance, PN said a pig farm was situated just 140 metres from residences, with its effluent treatment pond located perilously close to homes. The pond continuously discharged untreated waste into the Bidor River.

"This clearly violates Section 21 of the Pig Farming Control Enactment, which states it is an offence to dispose of untreated pig waste into any river or lake," he stressed.

PN has also urged the state government to prioritise the welfare of residents over the interests of non-compliant farms.

Idris questioned whether the state was attempting to cover up illegal activities.

"The people of Ayer Kuning deserve answers. Is the government genuinely committed to tackling this issue, or are they shielding farms that openly breach environmental and health regulations?," he said.

Therefore, PN has called on residents to rally behind PN candidate for Ayer Kuning by-election Abdul Muhaimin Malek who has committed to advocating for the community.

If elected, he said Abdul Muhaimin pledged to relocate licensed pig farms situated in Malay villages, shut down all illegal pig farms immediately and fully implement closed farming systems and a "zero discharge" policy by the end of 2025.

The issue of pig farm pollution in Ayer Kuning has been raised multiple times, including in a debate at the state legislative assembly on April 16.

However, PN claimed that the Barisan Nasional-led state government has failed to take decisive action.

During the winding-up session, PN alleged that Sivanesan assured all pig farms complied with regulations.

However, the recent findings directly contradicted his claims, further eroding trust in the government’s commitment to addressing the issue.

"This is not just about pollution; it is about the government’s accountability and its duty to protect public health and the environment," Idris added.

Earlier, PN had taken media representatives to the alleged pig farm site to witness firsthand the discharge of untreated pig waste into the river.

The visit, led by Pas information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, highlighted the severity of the pollution and the blatant disregard for environmental regulations.

"This on-site evidence leaves no room for denial—the waste is visibly contaminating the river and disrupting the lives of local residents," Fadhli said during the visit.

The move aimed to draw public attention to the ongoing issue and pressure the state government into immediate action.