Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today told pig farmers to fulfil their commitment to relocate their farms which do not meet the stipulated sanitary standards.

According to Bernama , the deputy premier said the Cabinet wanted the pig-rearing issue be resolved amicably.

"I had discussed the matter with Malacca Chief Minister (Mohd Ali Rustam) yesterday. We will try to come up with the best formula to reduce the pig population in the areas concerned, which have caused pollution problems.

"The farms involved had agreed to relocate the animals according to the schedule," he added.

Najib said the schedule for relocation would be discussed with the Malacca government which had agreed to be flexible on the deadline as long as the pig farmers kept their promise.

Prior to this, the state government had given until tomorrow for pig farmers in Bukit Beruang, Paya Mengkuang and Man Lok to restrict the number of animals to 48,000 from more than 100,000.

Previously, Ali Rustam said that pig farms, of which many are unregulated, were causing pollution due to discharging of effluents into waterways.

Deadline extended

On Sept 4, hundreds of enforcement officers from various departments attempted to cull pigs in Bukit Beruang, Paya Mengkuang, Kampung Man Lok and other areas but were thwarted by farmers who set up barricades leading to their farms.

Subsequently, state MCA officials managed to strike a deal with the state government in order to give time for pig farmers to rid a portion their livestock before Sept 21.

Meanwhile, Bernama also reported that the Malacca state government has decided to extend the deadline to Oct 4.

Deputy Federal Territories Minister Abu Seman Yusop said the farmers have only transferred 23,824 pigs since Sept 4.

Abu Seman, who is the Masjid Tanah MP, has been appointed by the state government to head the committee monitoring the process to reduce the pig population.

However, he refused to reveal where the pigs will be transferred.

"After this (Oct 4), the government will ensure that only 48,000 pigs will remain and this will only be in Paya Menkuang," he said.