KUCHING: The authorities have been urged to find a quick solution to the stench around the pig farm area at 17th Mile, Jalan Oya in Sibu as residents in the area can no longer bear the foul odour.
Dudong assemblyman Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing called on the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS), Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development, Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), Sibu Municipal Council (SMC), Sarawak Research and Development Council (SRDC), Fire and Rescue Department (BOMBA), People’s Volunteer Corps (RELA), and other relevant authorities to take full responsibility and resolve the issue.
He said last week’s burial of culled pigs infected with African Swine Fever (ASF) by DVSS should have been carried out well as they had the expertise in this field.
“But then how could this issue of odour pollution occur? Did the staff members involved in carrying out the burial process of the pig carcasses not do their job properly? Was the act of eliminating about 1,500 pigs due to ASF just to obscure the eyes?
“Now, it is the residents who have to suffer the consequences by being forced to live with the foul smell,” he said in a Facebook post on Wednesday (Feb 23).
In light of this, the Bintulu MP called on the authorities to give an explanation to the public which would address several matters such as whether the holes dug to bury the pig carcasses were deep enough and whether there were suitable guidelines to manage the operation professionally.
“Various factors need to be taken into account before carrying out the operation to eliminate these pigs. If the parties involved are not able to perform this scope of work efficiently and thoroughly, then it is a waste,” said Tiong.
He said he had received complaints from affected locals tormented by the foul odour to the point that it affected their daily lives, adding that the locals had reported to the relevant authorities, but no response had been received.
He extended an apology to the longhouse residents and locals in the affected area. As he was currently undergoing self-quarantine due to COVID-19 infection, he said he was unable to personally go to the site to observe the matter more closely.
“However, I hope everyone will not worry, as I have instructed Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) Dudong Division chairman Teo Boon Siew to go to there and contact DVSS to resolve this issue.
“He will take follow-up action and report back to me. I hope we can find the best solution to this issue,” he said.
Following this incident at the farm at Jalan Oya, he urged parties involved to visit other areas affected by the ASF outbreak to ensure that works to eliminate pig carcasses infected by ASF had been carried out properly and according to the standard operating procedure (SOP).
Tiong said this was to ensure that the outbreak did not spread and affect the lives of the public.
