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SAM hopes that the penang state government and authorties are serious in resolving pig waste pollution

  • Publication Date | September 19, 2018
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Pollution & Extractives
  • Issues | Pollution, Waste
  • Tags | DID, Gertak Sanggul, MBPP, pig waste, sewage
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Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) urges the Penang state government to seriously take action against two pig farms operating in Gertak Sanggul in the southwestern part of the island. The farms were allegedly releasing untreated pig waste into the sea. Immediate action is needed so that residents, fishermen and the public who often visit the area are assured that the State Government had taken action to address this long-standing problem.

Over the years SAM had lodged complaints regarding the pollution numerous times to the  relevant authorities including the Penang State Government, Penang Island City Council (MBPP), Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), Department of Environment (DOE) and Veterinary Services Department but the problem still remains unresolved as if the authorities did not take effective actions to resolve the pollution problem.

Meetings and field visits have also been conducted before and the assurances by some of the concerned agencies that the pollution will be curbed seem to be mere words but no effective action was taken. We are thus disappointed.

State Agriculture, Agro-based Industries, Rural Development and Health committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin, was quoted in  Free Malaysia Today (FMT) online news dated 17 September 2018 stating that the stench of untreated pig waste was affecting those living along the coast while the waste itself was depleting fishermen’s catch. He was further quoted that he was very upset over the irresponsible acts of some pig farmers who have failed to properly supervise their farms and that the state government will not compromise but will take stern action against the pig farmers who do not meet the set procedures.

The article also states that for decades the pig farms in Gertak Sanggul and many places in Seberang Perai have adversely affected the environment. The responsible authorities should acknowledge  that most of the waste and sewage generated from pig farms that are released into the ditch, river or sea are not treated 100%.

When sewage treatment systems are not used such problems will arise and cause discomfort to residents and fishermen who face bad odor, besides causing pollution in the surrounding area.

In addition, The Star daily also reported that a marine biologist had warned that extreme bacterial blooms can infect Gertak Sanggul’s seafood with harmful pathogens, from the salmonella bacteria to E-Coli and even the Hepatitis A virus due to the pig waste pollution in the coast of Gertak Sanggul.

SAM urges all the relevant authorities to take stringent action and impose heavier penalties on pig farmers who have polluted the coastal area of Gertak Sanggul. SAM believes that if this problem is left unresolved it will not only threaten the environment more seriously in the future, but affect public health and livelihoods of fishermen who depend on fish catch here.

SAM hopes that the statement by the State Agriculture, Agro-based Industries, Rural Development and Health committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin this time proves to the residents that the State is serious about not compromising and will act strictly against pig farmers who do not adhere to established procedures.

S M Mohamed Idris

President

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Testimonials

Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah satu badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) yang telah sekian lama berjuang mempertahan kelestarian alam. Ia juga mendidik masyarakat tentang pentingnya kebersamaan dalam pemikiran dan tindakan agar alam ini dapat kita wariskan kepada generasi hadapan dalam keadaan yang elok dan terpelihara. Dalam pada itu juga SAM giat membantu golongan nelayan pantai dalam memperjuangkan hak-hak mereka sehinggalah tertubuhnya Persatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING). Nelayan pantai sepenuh masa ini dididik oleh SAM sehingga mereka mampu memainkan peranan sebagai pemimpin nelayan yang meneruskan kesinambungan memperjuangkan hak-hak nelayan pantai lainnya. Sebagai contoh SAM telah berjaya menyedarkan masyarakat nelayan keperluan menjaga hutan paya bakau untuk kebaikan hasil tangkapan nelayan itu sendiri.
Jamaluddin Mohamad Bualik
Jamaluddin Mohamad BualikPersatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Jaringan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING)
During the 1980s, I used to read about the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) in the news. After retirement, some time in 2001, while lazing around, I read news about the construction of a carbon in leach plant using sodium cyanide to extract gold in Bukit Koman. My friends and I visited CAP and we were introduced to SAM and her legal team. We discussed the details of filing a case against the gold mining company and the department of environment with Ms Meenakshi Raman and her legal team. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship between lawyers from SAM and many of us from Bukit Koman. We had many ups and downs in our struggle to shut down the gold mine that was causing a nuisance in our village. But, as a community we never gave up because SAM had our backs.
Hue Fui How
Hue Fui HowSecretary, Bukit Koman Ban Cyanide in Goldmining Action Committee (BCAC)
Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah sebuah NGO yang memperjuangkan nasib masyarakat luar bandar khasnya. SAM menerima aduan-aduan masyarakat dan menyelesaikan masalah yang dihadapi. SAM telah mewujudkan ramai aktivis-aktivis sosial dan alam sekitar. Pada era 1980 dan 90an SAM sangat dihormati oleh masyarakat dan agensi kerajaan. Apabila media sosial menguasai maklumat maka SAM pun terkesan dan masalah masyarakat terus disalurkan dengan pelbagai cara. SAM perlu mewujudkan aktivis-aktivis pelapis yang muda untuk terus membantu masyarakat. SAM juga perlu membuat perubahan supaya banyak turun kelapangan dan jangan mengharapkan laporan media sahaja. Tingkatkan prestasi sebagaimana pada zaman kegemilangan SAM di era 80-90an.
Che Ani Mt Zain
Che Ani Mt Zain
SAM taught me the importance of social activism and the role it plays in upholding the rights of people and the protection of the environment. In my experience, SAM has never hesitated to speak up in defence of people and their environment, and has gone the extra mile to champion their rights, by helping communities take their battles to the higher ups and even to the courts.
Jessica Binwani
Jessica BinwaniPublic/Private Interest Lawyer
Semenjak kami kenal SAM, banyak pengalaman dan pengetahuan yg kami dapat. Kami telah belajar cara membuat baja asli daripada SAM. Semenjak itu, bermulalah minat kami dalam aktiviti pertanian. Dengan memperolehi kemahiran dalam membuat baja asli dan penanaman lestari, kami juga telah dapat menambahkan pendapatan sampingan kami. Ini lebih baik daripada tanah kami terbiar dan tidak diusahakan. Terima kasih SAM kerana sudi memberi bantuan dan tunjuk ajar kepada Persatuan kami.
Chedo Anak Nyuwen
Chedo Anak NyuwenPersatuan Penduduk Sg Buri, Bakong, Marudi
My journey with SAM started when her community organisers took me to the meet the paddy farmers of Kedah, connecting my growing interest in environmental law with our people who struggle to work the land in the face of pollution, replacement of traditional seeds with commercial hybrids and their accompanying chemical package of fertilisers and weedicides. I then had the honour to work with SAM in the struggle for the rights of the native communities of Sarawak, in defence of their forests from massive logging and destructive mega-projects. In every issue that SAM takes up, she combines rigorous research with the realities and voices of the communities to advocate for policies and laws that care for people and nature. From the courts to the elected legislators to policy makers and implementers and to the United Nations, SAM walks side by side with the communities in Malaysia. How can I not be inspired by the vision and passion of the generations of women and men who coalesce to form SAM?
Chee Yoke Ling
Chee Yoke Lingstudent of SAM, Executive Director of Third World Network, SAM’s sister organisation

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Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Headquarters)
No. 1, Jalan Joki, 11400 Penang,
Malaysia
Tel: +604 827 6930
Fax: +604 827 6932

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Marudi Office)
129A, First Floor,
Jalan Tuanku Taha,
P.O.Box 216,
98058 Marudi, Baram, Sarawak,
Malaysia
Tel & Fax: +6085 758 973

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