GEORGE TOWN: Three non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have called for an immediate solution to the 40-year-old Sungai Kreh pollution issue, blamed on pig farming activities in Kampung Selamat, Tasek Gelugor.
The three NGOs — the Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP), the Penang Sustainable Natural Heritage Association (LEKAS) and the Sungai Kereh Pollution Protest Action Body - said residents staying near the river have been plagued by the pollution issue for the past four decades.
CAP, LEKAS and the action body had appointed an independent laboratory to conduct water quality analysis of several water bodies in the area, including Sungai Kreh, in December last year.
LEKAS chairman Zikrullah Ismail said based on the laboratory analysis report, there was scientific evidence to conclude that the main cause of Sungai Kreh pollution was from pig farming activities in Kampung Selamat.
"The evidence strengthens the statement made by the action body that the pollution here is caused by pig farming activities.
"LEKAS is determined with its commitment to advocating for the locals so this issue can be resolved immediately.
"LEKAS will intensify awareness campaigns for the public so this issue can be understood based on clear facts and not just mere empty sentiments as claimed by some irresponsible parties," he said today.
Abdul Razib Abdul Rahim, chairman of the action body, said the pollution of Sungai Kreh had taken too long to be resolved.
"Pig waste continues to be discharged to Sungai Kreh although we have called for a solution many times along with numerous NGOs.
"We want to emphasise that this action body will continue to defend the villagers who have been facing this pollution issue for more than 40 years, either by making a police report or more drastically to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)."
Meanwhile, CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader hoped that with the continuous monitoring of river water quality, implementation of the zero-waste discharge system by the pig farmers as well as the enforcement of the Pig Breeding (Penang) Enactment 2016 and Pig Breeding Licensing Regulations (Penang) 2020, the issue of Sungai Kreh pollution could be resolved so the people can live in a clean and healthy environment.
Last August, it was reported that the Environment Ministry had proposed for the closure of all pig farms operating in Kampung Selamat, blamed for polluting nearby Sungai Kreh for the past 40 years, pending a solution.
There are at least 74 pig farms in the area with more than 100,000 pigs being reared.
The Penang Drainage and Irrigation Department said Sungei Kreh remains a "Class V" dead river, which means it was heavily polluted with no water flow.