KUALA LUMPUR: An independent group yesterday urged the Selangor government to relocate its controversial hi-tech pig farm project to an island.

Malaysian Muslim Solidarity Movement (MMSM) chairman Datuk Zulkifli Ahmad said the farm would pose a serious health hazard to some 20,000 residents in Tumbuk Estate in Sepang if the farm was relocated there.

"The main problem is disease. By opening a pig farm in the area, you expose the people to many diseases such as Japanese Encephalitis," he said, adding that there were numerous types of diseases associated with pigs that would affect everyone.

Zulkifli said there were many islands off the peninsular which could serve as suitable sites for the pig farm.

"We have so many islands. We even have Pulau Babi (Pig island), so why not use that island?," he said referring to Pulau Besar off Mersing, Johor, formerly known as Pulau Babi Besar.
"Or maybe Pulau Ketam, (Port Klang), then there would not be a problem."

Zulkifli, who claims MMSM has a membership of over 2,000, stressed that they could accept no less than relocation of the proposed pig farm along with the 600,000 pigs currently being reared in the area.

He said the MMSM was forwarding these demands on behalf of the residents of the affected area.

Zulkifli added this was a joint-effort with some 200 non-governmental organisations which participated in the Malay Solidarity Council Congress in Johor Baru last May 3-5.

Zulkifli said they were working on a memorandum of protest against the farm's location, which he expected would be completed by the end of the month.

"We will then hand over the memorandum to the menteri besar (of Selangor, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim), who will have a month to reply.

"If he does not reply within that period, we will hold a protest outside his office," he said.

Meanwhile, as at press time numerous calls and SMSes for a reaction to the proposal by MMSM, sent to Abdul Khalid's phone, went unanswered.