Pig farms in Kampung Selamat sending waste to biogas plant to tackle odour, river pollution, says Penang exco

GEORGE TOWN, Oct 30 — All pig farms in Kampung Selamat, Tasek Gelugor, have been sending livestock waste to a biogas plant in Ampang Jajar since May 4 to control pollution and odour problems in Sungai Kereh, the state assembly heard.

State Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye said the move aims to control livestock waste discharge into the environment, particularly drains flowing into Sungai Kereh.

The Penang Veterinary Services Department (JPVPP) is also applying Useful Microbes Activated Solution (UMAS) weekly into public drains in Kampung Selamat, he added.

“These mitigation measures help control pollution and reduce odour in the area. JPVPP is also inspecting pig farms and taking enforcement action to ensure breeders comply with livestock waste management requirements,” he said at the Penang State Legislative Assembly sitting here today.

H’ng (PH-Jawi) was responding to Bukhori Ghazali (PN-Pinang Tunggal) on state government measures to address odour pollution in Sungai Kereh.

He said JPVPP will continue monitoring waste deliveries to the biogas plant, carry out weekly UMAS applications and step up enforcement against non-compliant breeders.

Under Regulation 25(2) of the Pig Farming Licensing Regulations (Penang) 2020, licence holders must keep ammonia gas concentration inside enclosed pens below 20 parts per million (ppm) and hydrogen sulphide below five ppm, he said.

He said gas meter readings inside the enclosed pens remained within permitted limits.

H’ng clarified that the readings refer only to gas concentration inside the pens and do not directly represent the water quality index or odour levels in Sungai Kereh.

He said the state government also plans to clean up Parit Cina and Sungai Kereh from the first quarter of 2027 to remove accumulated sediment, improve water flow and reduce pollution. — Bernama