A tense standoff between pig farmers and enforcement authorities in several pig farms in Malacca ended today when a deal was struck between MCA representatives and the state officials.

In Paya Mengkuang - where pig farmers have barricaded their farms for nine hours - enforcement authorities, consisting of state enforcement officers, People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) and police officers pulled out at about 4pm today.

The enforcement officers were supposed to carry out forcible pig culling under the orders of the state government. Several other pig farms involved are located in Kuala Sungai Baru and Ayer Molek.

The standing down followed a deal which was struck during the meeting held under the orders of Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam.

Contacted today, state Agriculture and Rural Development Committee deputy president Abdul Rahman Pali said the meeting took place at the Masjid Tanah Umno headquarters and chaired by Masjid Tanah parliamentarian Abu Seman Yusof.

Representing the pig farmers were MCA vice-president and MCA Malacca chief Fong Chan Onn, Kota Melaka parliamentarian Wong Nai Chee and three other MCA leaders.

It cannot be confirmed if the pig farmers had appointed MCA as their spokesperson for such a meet.

According to Abdul Rahman, who was present at the meeting, the state government aimed to slash the pig population by two-thirds - only 48,000 pigs will be allowed to be reared in the state as opposed to the estimated current number of 140,000 animals.

Deadline set

Abdul Rahman said the state government has set a Sept 21 deadline for the pig farmers to export 92,000 animals to other states.

It is learnt that the farmers would start exporting about 1,000 pigs starting tomorrow with Johor and Selangor being the most likely destination.

"The pig farmers asked that they be allowed to rear 60,000 animals, but the state government is adamant that the number be reduced to 48,000" he said.

Should the pig farmers not comply with the government conditions, forcible culling would be enforced.

A Malacca livestock farmer association insider told malaysiakini that the farmers are still trying to convince the government at keeping the number at 60,000.

"We have shown our sincerity in agreeing to reduce the number of animals. We hope that our appeal would be considered," said the source.

Since early last year, pig farmers in the state have been experiencing a difficult relationship with the state government, who have been attempting to reduce the number of pigs and farms in a bid to curb pollution.

Villagers, mainly Muslim Malays, living near certain waterways are blaming the effluents from pig farms for water and air pollution.

Some of these farms are unlicensed and have mushroomed over the years. Farmers however are worried that aggressive enforcement efforts would jeapordise their livelihood .

Politicians to the rescue

The incident today also saw the rare simultaneous presence of top Chinese-dominated party leaders in the sleepy hallow of Paya Mengkuang.

DAP secretary-general and former Kota Melaka parliamentarian Lim Guan Eng was at the scene manning the human barricade with the pig farmers since morning.

"The presence of (the enforcement authorities) makes this place look like a war zone. What crime has these people (pig farmers) committed?" Lim was heard telling Gerakan vice-president Ng Lip Yong upon his arrival late this afternoon.

Ng, who is also international trade and industry deputy minister, and his delegation from Gerakan made a flying visit to the scene.

Soon after, Fong, who is also human resources minister, also made a short appearance. He was seen holding discussions with both the police and state enforcement authorities. He did not speak to reporters.

After the pull-out by enforcement authorities, Paya Mengkuang pig farmers and villagers were however seemingly unaware that a deal was struck for them.

They were loudly chanting of "Long Live DAP" and "Long Live Guan Eng" after the last excavator was left the area.

In response, Lim told the protestors that the incident today was merely the start of their ordeal to maintain their method of livelihood.

Malacca pig farmers are expected to meet tonight to discuss the latest developments.