KUCHING, Feb 10 — Sarawak is ready to scale up its export of live pigs to Selangor following the recent decision by the Sultan of Selangor to prohibit pig farming in the state.
Sarawak’s Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said they have already been exporting live pigs to Selangor since last year.
“We are also open to supplying to other states that wish to import,” he told Bernama.
When asked whether the state government plans to expand or further modernise the pig farming industry in Sarawak, Dr Rundi said it currently has a few smallholder pig farms and modern pig farms.
“We also have three large modern pig farms located in Simunjan, Ensengei, and the Selangau area,” he said.
Earlier, it was reported that the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj had not granted permission for pig farming to be carried out in any district in Selangor due to the risk of pollution that could adversely affect surrounding communities.
His Royal Highness' private secretary Dato' Mohamad Munir Bani said that the Ruler is of the view that pig farming could lead to air pollution through foul odours, as well as contaminate river water sources due to the discharge of animal waste and effluent.
As such, the Sultan recommended that the government consider issuing pork import licences to meet the needs of non-Muslims, particularly the Chinese community in Selangor.
Munir said this approach could help resolve the long-standing issue of pig farming while allowing the state government to optimise land use for other purposes, including development and housing.
