Selangor Journal
A herd of cows roaming in Taman Medan, Petaling Jaya, on January 14, 2020. — Picture by by FIKRI YUSOF/SELANGORKINI

Selangor offers lifeline to evicted Sabak Bernam cattle farmers 

By Selangor Journal Team 

SHAH ALAM, Jan 23 — Dozens of cattle farmers who have been issued eviction notices for unlawfully occupying an SD Guthrie Bhd land in Sabak Bernam have been extended a helping hand by the state government. 

State executive councillor for rural development Datuk Rizam Ismail said the government has proposed three plots of land to allow the farmers to continue their livestock farming activities.

They are the Sabak Bernam Veterinary Department gazetted land in Beting Kepah, Sungai Apong, Bagan Nakhoda Omar subdistrict; a Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation land in the Sungai Panjang subdistrict, and a gazetted land under the Sabak Bernam Land Administrator in Pekan Bagan Terap. 

State executive councillor for unity and rural development Datuk Rizam Ismail speaks to Media Selangor during an interview at the State Secretariat Building in Shah Alam, on July 30, 2024. — Picture by MOHD KHAIRUL HELMY MOHD DIN/MEDIA SELANGOR

“The livestock farming permitted at these sites must be conducted in a feedlot system and comply with the specified conditions.

“The Selangor government is committed to ensuring the well-being of all parties involved in this issue, including cattle farmers, plantation companies, and the local community. 

“The government’s priority is to guarantee public safety, protect the interests of the local residents, and at the same time provide opportunities for farmers to continue their activities in suitable locations.

“The state believes that the solution reached is not only fair but also demonstrates empathy toward the challenges faced by all parties. We hope this initiative will reduce anxiety, strengthen collaboration, and foster lasting harmony within the community,” he said in a statement today. 

Yesterday, over 50 farmers from SD Guthrie plantations held a protest and submitted a memorandum to Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari, following the issuance of eviction notices.

It is estimated that 176 farmers are involved in cattle, buffalo, goat, and dairy farming in the affected area.

The group demanded the state take responsibility for the eviction notices, which forced them to remove their livestock from the plantation areas by January 31. 

Rizam added that he chaired a meeting on December 17 last year with stakeholders, including representatives from SD Guthrie, following reports that freely roaming livestock cattle at the plantation in Sabak Bernam have been disrupting public safety and order, with some encroaching upon the grounds of the Tengku Ampuan Jemaah Hospital. 

Road accidents have also been reported due to the cattle being left to roam freely, including a tragic incident on October 23 which claimed the life of a motorcyclist, raising concerns among locals. 

In last month’s meeting, SD Guthrie said the cattle farming activity at its plantation in Sabak Bernam was being carried out illegally, and that it has identified the farmers involved.

The firm also issued an official notice to the farmers to relocate their cattle by the end of this month.

“However, as a caring government, the state strived to create a win-win situation in finding a comprehensive solution to this issue,” he said.

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