KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 — Existing pig farms in Tanjung Sepat are not required to submit Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports as they were already operating before the 2015 EIA Order came into effect, the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry said today.

Deputy Minister Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said the EIA requirement applies only to the development of new pig farming areas involving herds of 2,000 pigs or more.

“From the perspective of NRES, the preparation of the EIA report is only mandatory for the establishment of new pig farming areas involving a standing population of 2,000 pigs or more, as stipulated under the Environmental Quality (Prescribed Activities) (Environmental Impact Assessment) Order 2015.

“Therefore, existing farms in Tanjung Sepat are not subject to the requirement to prepare an EIA report as they were already in operation prior to the implementation of this Order,” he told the Dewan Rakyat.

He was responding to Kuala Langat MP Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi, who raised concerns over enforcement action against traditional pig farms allegedly linked to drainage pollution, odour issues and public nuisance in Tanjung Sepat, and asked about efforts to restore affected rivers and coastal areas.

Syed Ibrahim clarified that EIA approval does not constitute approval for project implementation, but instead confirms that environmental protection aspects have been assessed in line with the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127).

He said final approval for any development remains subject to the relevant approving authority under applicable laws and conditions.

He added that pig farming in Selangor is governed under the Selangor Pig Farming Enactment 1991, with the state Veterinary Services Department serving as the licensing authority responsible for regulating, approving and enforcing compliance with licence conditions, modern farming standards and environmental safeguards.

He said operators who breach licence conditions or are found to have caused pollution or public nuisance may face enforcement action under state laws.

He further said pig farming is not specifically regulated under the Environmental Quality Act 1974 from the ministry’s standpoint. However, the Department of Environment (DOE) continues to take all pollution complaints seriously by conducting investigations and coordinating follow-up action with relevant agencies according to their respective jurisdictions.

“The ministry and the DOE remain committed to working with the state government and the Veterinary Services Department by providing technical assistance and support in monitoring river water quality in affected areas,” he said.

On rehabilitation efforts, Syed Ibrahim said the Selangor government, together with federal agencies, must continue strengthening long-term restoration measures for rivers and coastal areas in Tanjung Sepat.

He added that long-term measures by the DOE include stricter enforcement against pollution sources under the Environmental Quality Act 1974, including firm action against premises that breach discharge standards.

The ministry will also intensify integrated enforcement operations with relevant agencies to prevent, detect and investigate environmental pollution cases.

Targeted enforcement will focus on high-risk areas, particularly upstream of water intake points and locations identified as major contributors to pollution loads.

Water quality monitoring will also be strengthened through an expanded network of monitoring stations and the use of technologies such as drones and remote sensing.

“The ministry will continue to work with the Selangor state government to ensure that this issue is addressed comprehensively for the wellbeing of residents in and around Tanjung Sepat,” he added.