translation Pig farmers in Melaka are willing to adhere to the state government's directive, including relocating their operations, if they are paid compensation and provided with new areas.

There are more than 80 pig farms located in Paya Mengkuang and Bukit Beruang. Both areas are in Alor Gajah.

During a visit to these areas recently, pig farmer Lim Oh Pah, 50, told malaysiakini that they needed compensation because they have acquired bank loans running into the millions for their business.

"The problem is that the state government has not given a decisive answer on this. We (the farmers) don't know the real picture.

"If the state government wants us to move, why did they ask us to draw up a development plan to improve our farms here?" he asked.

He said the farmers have come up with the plans as requested by the Alor Gajah Municipal Council (MPAG).

However, Lim, a fourth-generation pig farmer, is rather sceptical about the municipal council approving the plans since he has learnt that the farms in the area will be 'demolished'.

"We spent about RM600,000 to draw up the development plans and we don't know what the end result would be.

"If the plans are not approved, who will bear the cost? We have invested hundreds of thousands of ringgit for this by taking bank loans," he said.

Millions invested

According to him, the infrastructure developments at the pig farms in Paya Mengkuang include septic ponds, irrigation canals and stores.

He said MPAG gave the pig farmers two weeks to come up with the plans for evaluation.

Recently, Melaka agriculture exco Md Yunus Husin said the state government gave 82 pig farmers in Paya Mengkuang six weeks to upgrade their farms or face action, including closure.

Meanwhile, Lim said the Alor Gajah land and district office has also sent a letter to the pig farmers, warning them that if they do not have the plans ready, their land could be seized.

"Actually, pig farming in this area has been going on for a long time but the state government failed to resolve the matter," he added.

As for the complaint that the farms are a source of pollution, Lim said Sungai Tuang - the river into which waste from the farms is channeled - is not a source for drinking water.

Villagers living nearby told malaysiakini that the farms are polluting the river and beaches and that they have a hard time coping with the stench that engulfs the area.

However, Lim said the farmers have invested a fortune into their farms and therefore would want to continue with this industry.

He said they cannot change to rearing other livestock because their expertise lies with pigs and furthermore there is a high demand in the local market for pork.

"If we don't rear the pigs domestically, then the country must import from Vietnam and Thailand," he added.

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The third part of this article - the views of the Melaka Islamic College and state irrigation department - will be published tomorrow.

Part 1: The battle over pig farms