Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the concerns raised by Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah over pig farming in the state were justified due to repeated excesses that have affected public health.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, speaking at a press conference after the closing of the 48th ASEAN Summit, Anwar highlighted the inadequate control and enforcement over certain farming operations. He emphasized that the issues raised by the Sultan were due to significant excesses impacting public health, which require urgent attention.

The Prime Minister noted that he fundamentally disagrees with the operation of pig farms without stringent regulations, particularly those located near residential areas. He stressed the importance of placing such farms at a distance from villages and housing areas, including regions like Klang, to prevent any public health concerns.

Anwar further explained that the opposition to pig farming near residential areas is not limited to Muslim residents; Chinese residents also prefer not to live in close proximity to these farms. Therefore, he advocated for the relocation of pig farms to more remote areas.

He also called for pig farming operations to incorporate modern technology to ensure no environmental pollution occurs. Anwar mentioned that if companies can meet these rigorous conditions, the government would find it challenging to outright reject their applications. However, he suggested pausing the matter for the time being to reassess the situation.

In a related development, Sultan Sharafuddin reiterated his opposition to pig farming activities in any district within Selangor, as per a statement released by the Sultan's private secretary, Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani.