{
  "id": 15711416,
  "title": "Sungai Kereh pollution: Penang vows action against offenders",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/sungai-kereh-pollution-penang-vows-action-against-offenders",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-20T06:50:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/10/1559704/sungai-kereh-pollution-penang-vows-action-against-offenders"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "George Town: Penang pledges to address pollution in Sungai Kereh, seeking evidence before penalizing offenders. State Local Government Committee chairperson Hng Mooi Lye emphasized the government's commitment to the issue, following calls for a nationwide pig farming ban. Kampung Selamat, home to 61 pig farms, is currently under scrutiny. The investigation will examine pollution sources, including agriculture, waste disposal, and drainage systems. The Penang Department of Environment, local authorities, and other agencies are collaborating to identify culprits and ensure compliance with laws. Penang's Veterinary Services Department has implemented regulations for pig farming since 2016 and 2020, covering closed-house systems and wastewater treatment. A meeting on May 11 outlined short-term and long-term waste management measures. Currently, waste from farms in Kampung Selamat is being transported to a biogas plant in Ampang Jajar, while waste from Seberang Prai Tengah has been sent to the Kampung Valdor biogas plant since 2026. A facility for Kampung Selamat is planned for the future. Cleaning works at Parit Cina and Sungai Kereh are set to commence in the first quarter of next year to remove sediment and enhance water flow. Penang will enforce regulations against violators, balancing economic contributions with environmental protection and residents' well-being. The pollution issue has persisted for decades, with numerous protests over the years.",
  "summary": "GEORGE TOWN: Penang will intensify efforts to tackle pollution in Sungai Kereh, insisting that its causes must be established through evidence before action is taken against offenders.",
  "key_points": [
    "Penang commits to tackling Sungai Kereh pollution, awaiting evidence before penalties.",
    "Kampung Selamat, with 61 pig farms, is under investigation for pollution sources.",
    "Penang's Veterinary Services Department regulates pig farming since 2016 and 2020."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The state's investigation into agricultural waste and drainage systems signals a shift toward stricter regulatory enforcement to balance the economic importance of pig farming with long-term environmental protection.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}