11/02/2026

WEDNESDAY | FEB 11, 2026

2

Sultan makes firm stand against swine farming

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has made a firm stand against pig farming in the state, declaring that he does not consent to its operation in any district. In a statement from the Selangor Royal Office, His Royal Highness warned that pig farming poses serious environmental risks, including foul odours and river contamination from pig waste. He proposed that the government consider issuing licences for pork importation to meet the needs of non-Muslims, particularly the Chinese community. “This approach would not only resolve the long-standing pig farming issue but also enable the state government to optimise land use for development, housing and other productive purposes,” the statement said. He added that large-scale and small-scale pig farms are unsuitable for Selangor, citing limited land resources and high property values that would be better used for ventures benefiting the wider community.

o Ruler proposes govt consider issuing licences for pork importation to meet needs of non-Muslims The statement comes after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Jan 23 urged the Selangor government to cancel the proposed large-scale pig farming project in Bukit Tagar, Hulu Selangor. The matter was also discussed during a meeting between Anwar and Sultan Sharafuddin on Sunday.

historically posed significant public health concerns. The country experienced a major Nipah virus outbreak between 1998 and 1999, a zoonotic disease transmitted from pigs to humans. The outbreak affected about 265 people, resulted in dozens of deaths and prompted the culling of over a million pigs to contain the spread. The virus, which can cause severe neurological and respiratory illness, had a mortality rate of roughly 40%. No new human cases have been reported and Malaysia was officially declared free of Nipah virus in 2001. Recently, the Veterinary Services Department approved the import of pork from Thailand and Brazil to help meet local demand. processes remain transparent, fair and orderly. He emphasised the need to resolve illegal temple constructions, which have long caused unease and disrupted community cohesion. Anwar, speaking at the National Unity Ministry on Monday, said Malaysia is a nation governed by the rule of law. “Local councils have been given the authority to remove illegal structures so that this issue could be resolved properly.” He dismissed requests for exceptions, including a temple built beneath a 200-year-old sacred tree. “A temple’s long-standing presence does not justify illegal construction.” Without naming individuals, Anwar criticised previous attempts by politicians to exploit the issue to stir racial tensions, alluding to claims that Hindus face restrictions in practising their faith. Enforcement has already begun. Following a rally against alleged illegal temples on Saturday, preacher Zamri Vinoth and TanahMalaya.com founder Tamim Dahari Abdul Razak were remanded for two days. Police said about 100 people had gathered in front of Sogo in Kuala Lumpur, demanding action on illegal structures. Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Fadil Marsus stressed that police response applies to all parties. which stipulates that civil servants are prohibited from owning shares worth more than RM100,000 in any single company. He urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to suspend Azam to allow for a probe into the allegations of misconduct, specifically relating to share ownership exceeding the prescribed limit. At the time of writing, the Prime Minister’s Office had yet to issue a response.

PETALING JAYA: Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has supported Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s firm stance against unauthorised places of worship, warning that illegal constructions could threaten community harmony and state security. He reaffirmed his position during an audience with Anwar on Sunday, a day after Anwar declared that no place of worship should be built outside the law. He said development in Selangor, including Hindu temples, must be lawful, orderly and in line with urban planning standards. The state government told Sultan Sharafuddin that as of Jan 31, there are 687 unauthorised Hindu temples in the state, with 388 on government land and 299 on private land. The figure is significant, given that the Hindu Indian community makes up roughly 11.3% of Selangor’s population. These numbers do not include temples that have followed proper legal authorisation. “Unauthorised constructions, particularly on government or private land, risk sparking disputes and threaten the security of the state and nation,” said Sultan Sharafuddin. He called for authorities to scrutinise all applications for places of worship carefully, ensuring the Klang Valley population.” He said the pig farming issue should be paused and considered resolved, while noting it has implications for public peace and harmony. All parties have been urged to respect Sultan Sharafuddin’s decree and work together to maintain unity within the state. Following Anwar’s advice, the Selangor government recently scrapped plans to centralise the state’s pig farming industry in Bukit Tagar. Reports indicate that the state is actively phasing out pig farms, with just over 30 remaining in Tanjong Sepat, Kuala Langat, down from 115. Pig farming in Malaysia has It said the shareholding was disclosed in the company’s annual return lodged on Feb 3 last year. Based on Velocity Capital’s share price at Monday’s close, the stake would be valued at about RM800,000. The issue has drawn political scrutiny, with Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli questioning whether the reported shareholding contravenes public service regulations. Rafizi said the matter appears to breach Service Circular No. 3 of 2002, Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

In his Monday address, Anwar reiterated his stance, saying pig farming should not proceed in areas in which it is opposed by local residents or locations likely to spark public controversy. Sultan Sharafuddin said the Bukit Tagar project, located within a Malay settlement and Felda area, could raise issues among the local community. “Even if air and water pollution could be managed through modern farming methods, such methods require significant investment and are unlikely to be financially viable for operators supplying pork solely to Selangor. “There is also no guarantee that modern farming would not pollute rivers and water catchments serving

Selangor Ruler opposes illegal places of worship

SET TO SAIL ... Sarawak Head of State Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (fourth, left), his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah (fifth, left), Defence Deputy Minister Adly Zahari (third, left) and navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Dr Zulhelmy Ithnain (left) at the naming and launching ceremony of the navy’s littoral combat ship at the Lumut Naval Shipyard yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC MACC defends chief against claims of misconduct

Ű BY THE SUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

with all applicable asset declaration requirements, including declarations made through the Human Resource Management Information System to the Public Service Department, covering sources of income as well as the acquisition and disposal of assets, including shares. The Bloomberg report cites corporate filings with the Companies Commission of Malaysia, which listed Azam as holding 17.7 million shares in Velocity Capital Bhd.

In a statement yesterday, it said the report has affected Azam’s image and reputation, and unjustifiably linked MACC to allegations of wrongdoing, potentially undermining public confidence in the anti-graft agency. It stressed that asset declarations by public officers are governed by established administrative and governance procedures, and must be submitted through official channels to the relevant authorities. It said Azam had fully complied

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has strongly rejected what it described as “misleading statements and unfounded allegations” in a Bloomberg report on its chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki’s shareholdings, insisting that all asset declarations were made in compliance with public service regulations.