Pig Issue: Government Must Take Sultan of Selangor’s Advice Seriously

PETALING JAYA: The Federal Government and the Selangor State Government must give due attention to the concerns and advice expressed by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, regarding the pig issue to safeguard the interests of religion, the people and the environment.

Kuala Langat Member of Parliament Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi said the Sultan’s views on the issue took into account the limited land available for development in Selangor, as well as concerns over air pollution and drainage systems.

He said the Sultan had previously emphasised in his royal address that his comments, advice, views and suggestions were not intended to interfere in the administration of the state government, but rather to ensure that the interests of religion and the people were protected.

“I believe that with 25 years of experience as the Sultan of Selangor and more than 30 years as Raja Muda, every comment, piece of advice and opinion expressed by His Royal Highness is undoubtedly made with great wisdom.

“The Sultan’s concerns and advice regarding the pig issue in Selangor reflect His Royal Highness’s wisdom, particularly given the limited land available for development, air pollution and drainage issues in the state. The government must give these matters due attention,” he told Utusan Malaysia.

Previously, the newspaper reported that the Selangor government was investigating the entry of live pigs from Sarawak through Port Klang since July to determine the livestock’s actual destinations before deciding on further action.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the state government did not rule out the possibility that some of the livestock were merely transiting through Selangor before being transported to other states.

Meanwhile, State Infrastructure and Agriculture Executive Councillor Datuk Ir Izham Hashim informed the Selangor State Legislative Assembly (DUN) that import licences had been approved, including for live livestock from Sarawak, with an estimated 800 pigs arriving each week.

However, he said the livestock were not permitted to stop at any location and must be transported directly to a slaughterhouse in Rawang.

Commenting on allegations that 3,200 live pigs had been brought into Selangor every month since July, Ahmad Yunus said their destinations, temporary holding locations and slaughterhouses must be clarified.

He also questioned the need to import live pigs to meet the demands of the non-Muslim community in Selangor when the Sultan had suggested that only pork supplies should be brought into the state.

“The entry of such a large number of live pigs through Port Klang may fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, but several questions remain unanswered in the minds of the public.

“Where will these pigs be taken? Where are their temporary holding facilities and slaughterhouses? How will their waste be disposed of and managed?” he asked.

Ahmad Yunus also questioned why Singapore did not import directly from the exporting state or country if the entry of live pigs was intended to meet the republic’s needs.

UTUSAN