The Malacca state government has shot down appeals from pig farmers to maintain a maximum of 60,000 pigs in the state.

The decision was reached this morning during a meeting between the farmers and state government officials.

According to Malaysian Livestock Breeders Association president Lee Ah Fatt, who was not present at the meeting, the farmers have no choice but to comply with the Sept 21 deadline to bring the number of pigs by about two-thirds - down to 48,000.

Failing which, state enforcement authorities will forcibly cull the pigs.

Presently, there is an estimated 145,000 pigs being reared in the state. A marketable adult pig can fetch between RM400 to RM500 at normal wholesale price.

Given that pig farmers only have 17 days left, they would have to export to other states or cull about 6,000 pigs daily.

Lee said such a move would cost pig farmers in the state dearly and the pork market would be severely distorted.

"Currently, 7,500 pigs are being butchered nationwide. Adding another 6,000 into the market daily would be very difficult," he added when contacted.

Meanwhile, an industry source told malaysiakini that the move would pose severe logistical problems due to the number of pigs involved.

"The state government shouldn't rush things. They need to hold discussions with the pig farmers and provide a more realistic time frame for them to resolve matters," he said.

No warning

Malacca Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam had over the years attempted to increase enforcement of pig farms, particularly those which are unlicensed. These farms have been blamed for disposing effluents into waterways.

The issue reached boiling point yesterday when pig farmers and residents in Kampung Baru Paya Mengkuang mounted a human barricade to prevent hundreds of enforcement personnel from entering the farms to cull the pigs.

Following this, a MCA delegation led by its Malacca chief Dr Fong Chan Onn met with several state exco members from Umno to discuss the matter.

The enforcement authorities eventually backed down after it was agreed that the pig farmers would take steps to reduce the number of pig reared.

Paya Mengkuang pig farmers, when met, expressed unhappiness that the authorities had attempted to cull their animals without prior warning.

Pig farmers from other affected areas also complained that the state government took action more than two weeks ahead of the Sept 21 deadline stipulated in the warning notices they received.

'Best solution'

In a related development, state exco member Seah Kwi Tong, when contacted later, told a different story.

According to him, the plan involves exporting 2,500 pigs a day until Sept 21.

"By then, we (the state government) would reevaluate the situation to see if the pollution situation has improved," he said.

He added that the state government is in the process of acquiring the land presently occupied by 24 pig farms.

He said the 24 farms are not located in Paya Mengkuang and that "adequate" compensation will be paid to the affected pig farmers.

Seah declined to elaborate when asked if pig farms would only be allowed in Paya Mengkuang which has the highest number of farms.

Seah said he was aware that there is "confusion" among affected pig farmers over the details being worked out by MCA leaders and the state government.

"(What we have so far) is the best solution to the problem," he added.