MELAKA: Irked by the severe damage to the once popular Pengkalan Balak beach, the Melaka state government said it will not hesitate to take drastic action against the operators of 36 pig farms in the Paya Mengkuang area that have been identified as the source of severe pollution.
Describing the environmental catastrophe as due to uncontrolled conventional pig farming that has evolved to produce industrial levels of output and discharge, state agriculture and entrepreneur development committee chairman Datuk Hasan Abd Rahman promised swift action.
"This damage has driven away tourists due to the damage caused to the beach, which directly affects many businesses such as chalets, eateries and tourist shops in the areas because people have stayed away," said Hasan.
He was speaking after the handing over of financial aid to 200 fishermen under the Jasin Fishermens Association (PNJ), which also received a contribution of RM10,000 from Jasin member of parliament Datuk Seri Ahmad Hamzah.
The aid was due to fishermen in the area being affected by a decline in catches in recent months, with Hasan calling on them to diversify their activities to develop other revenue streams.
Hasan said the uncontrolled discharge from the 36 pig farms, including faeces and
carcasses, which have polluted Sungai Tuang, its estuary and has recently spread out to
the beach at Pengkalan Balak.
"We have directed the local authorities to issue notices and informed them that even
before the state government decides on the licensing the farms, existing laws should be
enforced," said Hasan.
The farms, which began as traditional smallholdings, have recently grown to operate on an
industrial scale in terms of output, but not in terms of hygiene and environmental care.
Hasan explained: "My opinion is the time has come for the pig farms to be licensed.
Hasan said prior to this, the farms had been operating as conventional small holdings,
having been in business for over a century. However, in recent times, they have seen
expansion, resulting in waste that has become unbearable.
"We can't allow them to continue operating in that manner anymore. We have prepared a State Government Executive Committee (MMKN) paper on the licensing procedures for pig
farms, which will be discussed in the coming executive committee meeting.
"When they are licensed, it automatically means they need to adhere to the guidelines
stipulated by the licensing," said Hasan.
The New Straits Times' visit to the site found that the farms were now being guarded, with
entry into areas which would provide a view of the inside, restricted.
At the estuary of Sungai Tuang adjoining Pengkalan Balak, the damage was highly visible
with silt and stench permeating the air, while the difference in the colour of the water - turqoise at beachfront and dark brown at the estuary - indicating pollution.
Efforts to get farmers to comment were also rejected, but Hasan said his committee has began engaging the Melaka Pig Farmers Association as an intermediary.
"We have also asked the local council - the Alor Gajah Municipal Council (MPAG) - and the Irrigation and Drainage Department (IDD) to issue notices and enforce existing laws. Even for conventional farms, there are laws that should prevent them from destroying the environment," said Hasan.
"However, we understand that these farmers have been quite stubborn and not responsive to
notices. This has seen the matter escalate into severe damage to the environment and
other businesses such as chalets, eateries and tourist shops are forced to pay the price for this," said Hasan.
"If they continue being unresponsive, then I must warn them that the state government
will not hesitate to take drastic and forceful action to stop the damage."