February 25, 2025

 

Pollution of Penang, Malaysia river linked to pig farms

 

Pollution from pig farms is believed to be polluting a river in Penang, Malaysia, with tests showing poor water quality, said natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

 

Nik Nazmi told the Dewan Rakyat on February 24 that five readings from Sungai Kreh, near Tasek Gelugor, showed a high ammoniacal nitrogen sub-index, suggesting inflows of waste, likely from animal sewage or fertilisers. He said regular monitoring by the environment department had shown persistently poor water quality.

 

"This is likely due to the discharge of untreated pig farm waste, as there is no operational sewage treatment plant in the area," he said. "We have also conducted an odour pollution study at Kampung Selamat in Tasek Gelugor, with monitoring carried out at 13 locations in the area."

 

According to Nik Nazmi, the department had shared its findings with the relevant agencies in Penang, such as the veterinary services department and the Seberang Perai City Council.

 

He said while all inspected industrial premises in the area comply with the Environmental Quality Act 1974, the disposal of pig farm waste does not fall under the environment department's jurisdiction.

 

He was responding to Siti Mastura Muhammad (PN-Kepala Batas), who raised concerns over the disposal of pig farm sewage into the river.

 

The Penang government said last November it had stepped up enforcement to curb pollution from pig farms, pushing them to convert from open farm systems to closed systems to improve waste management.

 

According to a written reply to an assemblyman in Penang, 117 farms have adopted the system as of 2024, with Kampung Valdor now sending waste to a biogas facility instead of discharging into rivers.

 

In Seberang Perai Utara, where Tasek Gelugor is located, farms are required to install solid waste separators and maintain sewage ponds treated with beneficial bacteria and fungi to break down waste, reduce odour, and improve water and soil quality.

 

A total of 50 farms were penalised as of November, mainly in Seberang Perai Utara (33) and Seberang Perai Selatan (15).

 

- FMT