Sungai Kulim pollution not caused by pig farming, says Penang exco man

BUKIT MERTAJAM: The pollution of Sungai Kulim was not caused by pig farming along Sungai Lembu, says Penang agro-technology committee chairman Fahmi Zainol.

He said an investigation by the state Veterinary Services Department and related agencies found that the pollution was instead caused by an unlicensed duck farm next to the pig farm.

“During an on-site inspection, the department found that the pollution is from a nearby duck breeding farm. It also found that there is direct discharge from the duck farm into Sungai Alor Merah and then on to Sungai Kulim,” he said after visiting the farms, a few kilometres from the Penang-Kedah border, on Monday (Feb 19).

He added that Penang residents should not worry as the pollution does not affect the Bukit Toh Allang water treatment plant in Sungai Kulim.

The plant supplies water to Penang and is about 7km from where Sungai Kulim and Sungai Alor Merah merge.

Fahmi said the duck farm had not been given a licence under the Penang Poultry Enactment 2020.

Under the enactment, those operating unlicensed farms can be fined up to RM30,000 or jailed up to three years, or both, if found guilty.

Various news portals attributed the pollution in Sungai Kulim and Sungai Alor Merah to a pig farm in Sungai Lembu.

According to reports, the Kedah Environment Department discovered elements suspected to be pig farm waste from a farm in the Sungai Lembu village, leading to pollution in the rivers in central Seberang Prai.