Residents of Kampung Baru Padang Sanai in Kuala Nerang are complaining of foul odour and health risks from a nearby watermelon

farm which allegedly used pig faeces manure since one week ago.

A resident, Sulaiman Che Endut, 44, said the smell become more intense after heavy rain and attracted a lot of flies.

"We are worried on the health risks. Heavy rains washed the pig faecal manure into Sungai Padang Terap and could contaminate the Padang Sanai water treatment plant downstream.

"The plant supplies water to 85 percent of the population of the Padang Terap District," he said, adding that the 80ha watermelon farm was cultivated by a company, which leased the land from its owner.

Another villager, Mahmud Samaun, 65, said some residents were already complaining of nausea and fever due to exposure to the foul odour and urged the authorities to take action against the farm.

A housewife, Zaharah Ramli, 26, said her six-month-old son came down with fever and flu as her house was located only about 200 metres from the farm.

"The situation worsen when it rains or strong wind blowing. It make cooking an arduous task as I had to close the pot and frying pan every now and then from flies. Please have a heart on us in the fasting month of Ramadan," she said when met at the village.

Siti Aishah Mat Diah, 57, said was nursing a splitting headache and stress since the foul odour emitted by the farm.

Meanwhile, Kuala Nerang assemblyman Syed Sobri Syed Hashim said he had lodged complaints against the company to the police and the Department of Environment (DOE) for allegedly polluting the environment.

He said there were about 200 families in the village, 99 percent of them Muslims who would be celebrating Aidilfitri next week.

- Bernama