Selangor opposition leaders from PAS and Bersatu have slammed the federal and state governments for using “technical loopholes” to evade responsibility over severe river and air pollution caused by pig farming in Tanjong Sepat.
The backlash follows Deputy Minister Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh’s explanation that existing farms are exempt from mandatory Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) because they were established before 2015, and current laws only mandate EIAs for new farms with over 2,000 pigs.
Selangor PAS Youth Chief Mohamed Sukri Omar countered that an exemption is not a licence to pollute, urging enforcement under the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
“The real question is why this issue, which has dragged on for years, with various complaints about river pollution and odour that affects the lives of residents as well as concerns over water sources, still fails to be resolved conclusively.
“If complaints have been submitted repeatedly, the government should focus on enforcement action and solutions, instead of merely explaining that the operation is not subject to an EIA because it existed before the year 2015,” Malaysiakini reported him as saying.
Permatang assemblywoman Nurul Syazwani Noh added that clustered smaller farms create a massive cumulative toxic impact, demanding mandatory environmental audits regardless of farm size or age.
Both leaders urged the government to fully uphold the decree of the Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who refused consent for these polluting activities.
The state has ordered all Tanjong Sepat pig farms to vacate ahead of enforcement starting July 1. — July 4, 2026
Main photo credit: Malay Mail
