Penang government denies diseased pigs were buried secretively

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government today denied claims diseased pigs were secretively being buried at Kampung Jawi in Nibong Tebal on the mainland.

Penang Environment, Welfare and Caring Society Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said the pigs being buried had instead drowned during the floods on Sunday.

He said some 1,000 pigs have died since the area was inundated with water over the weekend.

Phee said the carcasses were being buried within the compound of the pig farm and were covered with lime and clay per disposal procedures.

He said the Seberang Perai Municipal Council and the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) was monitoring the burial process to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

"The pigs are not dead due to disease or sickness," he stressed at a press conference today.

The denial comes after pictures of the burial spread on social media with postings alleging the pigs died from being sick.

At the same time, Penang Housing, Rural and Regional Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh called upon the federal government to come clean over the 1Malaysia Maintenance Fund (TP1M) projects.

He said the "Inisiatif, Peruntukan dan Ikhtiar Murni Kerajaan Persekutuan Demi Mensejahterakan Rakyat Pulau Pinang, Pencapaian Tahun 2008-2017" booklet had claimed there were 59 TP1M projects approved in Penang since 2012.

However, he said information obtained from the two local councils in Penang showed there were only 28 TP1M projects approved since 2013.

"Please clarify the numbers so things are clear," he added.