Pig farm in Perak told to halt expansion works pending approval

IPOH: A pig farm operator in Kampung Perlop 1, Sungai Siput, has been instructed to halt expansion works pending approval for its planning permission. Chairman Datuk A. Sivanesan of the State Human Resources, Health, Indian Affairs and National Integration Committee revealed that the operator had violated procedures by conducting land levelling before obtaining permission from the local authority.

The farm is undergoing transformation from a traditional operation into a modern, entirely enclosed pig farm. Although it has applied for planning permission, the operator cannot proceed with any construction works until approval is granted. Sivanesan addressed concerns from Sungai Siput Umno Youth chief Ariff Zaky Zolkafly, who questioned the farm's approval status on Facebook following resident complaints of a fly nuisance.

Inspections discovered five new sewage retention ponds, one of which was discharging water directly into a tributary via a pipe. Water samples were sent to a lab in Bukit Tengah, Penang, for Biochemical Oxygen Demand analysis. The state government anticipates that modernizing the pig farming industry could generate up to RM1.6 billion in revenue, including through leasing 174 hectares of state-owned land used for pig farming.

Perak currently holds the title of the country's largest pig farming state, but the number of farms has dwindled to 85 due to closures and consolidation among operators. The government aims to enforce a full conversion to modern, fully enclosed pig farms by January 1, 2027, with no exceptions.