The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) urges the Penang state government to take immediate action to solve the pig waste pollution problem faced by villagers of Kampung Titi Hitam near Sungai Bakap in the Seberang Perai Selatan District.

The problem arising from a pig sty in this village has caused the area to stink and affects the villagers’ daily lives. The villagers claim to suffer from headaches and nausea because of the foul smell from pig waste.

The pig sty is not well maintained, causing the villagers to be exposed to serious pollution and pig waste. The villagers are also concerned that they might be infected by the Nipah virus if the problem is left unchecked.  

CAP is disappointed that although the residents had reported this matter to the authorities five years ago but until now no action is taken to address the problem effectively.

CAP requests the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) and the Veterinary Services Department (VSD) to investigate this pollution problem and take stringent legal action if the pig farmer was found to have violated stipulated regulations.

CAP hopes the Penang government and the relevant authorities will give serious attention to this issue by conducting frequent and continuous monitoring so that the environment here is not polluted and the health of the villagers is not affected.

CAP believes and worries that if the source of pollution is not dealt with effectively it will spread to the river and the sea, thus adversely impacting the waters in the state. In addition, the pollution will affect public health, marine life and livelihoods of fishers who are dependent on marine catches.

Concerted action by all authorities including the District and Land Office of Seberang Perai Selatan, Drainage and Irrigation Department, Health Department and the Environment Department is needed to solve the pig waste pollution problem faced by the villagers.

CAP recommends that the Penang government takes action to close the pig farming activity if the responsible authorities still fail to address the long-pending issue.

SM MOHAMED IDRIS is president, Consumers Association of Penang.