RESIDENTS of Taman Hijauan Valdor, a mixed-residential development on the mainland, once again voiced out their concerns about the terrible odour and pollution caused by animal waste discharge by pig slaughterhouses in the vicinity.
This time around, their plight was delivered to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who is also the new Batu Kawan MP.
Chow said relevant departments, such as the state Veterinary Services Department (DVS) and the state Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) are lining up several key short-term measures to reduce the issue of animal waste discharge that’s been affecting the health and damaging homes in the vicinity of Sungai Jawi and Sungai Bakap.
Residents living at Taman Hijauan Valdor are learned to be the most affected as it sits along a canal where the animal waste is being discharged into.
DVS director Dr Saira Banu Mohamed Rejab said there are a total of six pig slaughterhouses around Taman Hijauan Valdor.
“They have all been encouraged to adopt the closed system with zero discharge method. We will monitor them until the end of the year, and if any of them fails to adopt this method, we have no choice but to instruct them to cease operations with immediate effect at their respective locations.
“This is in line with the Pig Farming Enactment which was approved in 2017 and was enforced in 2020. Under this enactment, one of the guidelines is for the pig farmers to adopt the closed system with zero discharge at their respective slaughterhouses,” Saira said during Chow’s visit to Taman Hijauan Valdor earlier.
Meanwhile, Chow informed the residents that the construction of a large-scale centralised animal waste treatment plant is currently being constructed at Perkampungan Valdor, Sungai Bakap.
The project would have two components, namely to address the animal waste issue and the production of green energy.
“It is now 13 per cent completed and is expected to be fully operational in August next year.
“Meanwhile, the south Seberang Perai Land and District Office is currently having discussions with the owner of a private land for a potential diversion from the current drainage for the flow of waste discharge from the pig slaughterhouses.
“We need permission from the land owner, and we hope to get a positive response soon,” Chow said.
Also present during the visit was state DID deputy director Ooi Soon Lee, who said that drainage cleanup around residential and relevant areas is done once a year.
“But if the particular area requires frequent cleaning, just like at Taman Hijauan Valdor here, we will ramp up our efforts to assist in the clearing more frequently,” he said.
Also present during the visit were Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik and state Department of Environment (DOE) director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Muhamad Amir Mersyad Omar
Video by Siew Chia En