‘We’ve endured the stench since childhood’ - Tanjong Sepat residents
On Saturday, the Selangor Sultan expressed his disagreement with the state government's decision to allow continued pig farming in Tanjong Sepat prior to the 2030 relocation.
MUHAMMAD AFHAM RAMLI
TANJONG SEPAT – Residents in and around Tanjong Sepat claim they have become desensitised to the persistent foul odour emanating from nearby pig farms, a problem they say has plagued the community for decades.
A local trader, Mohd Zuhaize Ngapain, 44, stated that the industry has severely damaged the local marine ecosystem.
“In the past, cockles and clams were plentiful.
“However, pollution has ruined the habitat, affecting the livelihoods of the local Orang Asli community,” he told Sinar.
He observed a recent, albeit grim, recovery.
“Only recently have cockles begun to return to the Tanjong Sepat coastline because many pigs died during a virus outbreak, leading to farm closures. If operations resume as before, the cockles will disappear again.”
Zuhaize expressed concern that any large-scale expansion would exacerbate the stench.
“Elected representatives must take this seriously. We have endured this since childhood. Nothing has changed in decades, but the Selangor Sultan’s recent reprimand gives us new hope.”
Another resident, Norasid Kasman, 53, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the visible impact of the farms.
“The waste is discharged through large drains before flowing into the sea. When the water turns black, that is pig waste. I truly hope the number of farms here does not increase,” he said.
Mathi, a resident in his 40s, added that the smell typically intensifies during the afternoon, evening and during heavy rain.
“I strongly agree that these farms should be relocated rather than expanded,” he said.
Kampung Tumbuk Village Head, Nasri Mohd Jais welcomed the intervention by Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
He said that the Selangor government’s plan to centralise the industry in Bukit Tagar, Hulu Selangor, by 2030 feels like a long-awaited solution.
“The Sultan’s remarks are timely. With this reprimand, we expect procedures to be significantly tightened,” Nasri said.
On Saturday, the Selangor Sultan expressed his disagreement with the state government's decision to allow continued pig farming in Tanjong Sepat prior to the 2030 relocation.
His Majesty raised concerns regarding the potential for large-scale, export-oriented development across approximately 202 hectares in Bukit Tagar.
Following the Royal statement, Tanjong Sepat State Assemblyman Datuk Borhan Aman Shah affirmed his support for the Sultan’s stance, arguing that farming should remain limited to meeting local needs rather than focusing on exports.
Selangor Infrastructure and Agriculture Exco, Datuk Izham Hashim clarified that the relocation is a long-term strategy designed to tackle pollution, mitigate disease outbreaks and maintain social harmony in affected communities.
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