The Malaysian Insider

Spinning what? Shouldn't it be the other way around?

And here i thought, the reason most of us voted for PR in the last election "because we want to see a change for the better.”? And isn't that what is happening? Given no more quarter for greedy profit taker whom forsaken the local residents and leaving them local with nothing but misery? No more cronies, no more graft "eaters"?

After all, given time and time again the abattoir operator seem oblivious to the local operator order to ceased their operation. We not just talking about 1 month given by the Kedah MB, we were talking a "stubborn" operator whom has been disregarding "other" peoples sentiment even he/they been order to closed the shop since aeon ago. ok, jk.. but 10 years plus in not a short time, he/they could build more then just one new and suitable abattoir.

But then again we Malaysia were a proven selfish lot, we fight only when thing were matter to us. Disregarding "other" people sentiment is our best forte.

stop spinning...elloo are deaf and stupid..the state goverment already given 1 month to the traders to find a new spot..if this place does not exist..I still believe you guys still survive..its not like the pork meats will disapear to thin air..when the place thorne down..jeezz!!

Anything to do with pig is sensitive to the Malays, and this is the point I wish to put my two sen's worth as regards the demolition of the illegal pig abbatoir off Jalan Putra, Mergong. I wish I had the opportunity to have a better insight of the debacle which prompted DAP's pullout of the fragile coalition.

My role here is an observer at best, seen from the eyes of a non-Malay born in Alor Setar. First, I wish to stress that the abbatoir had been around for more than 30 years (not 30 as reported), and the place where it was located was previously semi-wasteland, an area where the Town Council garbage trucks were parked. The place was filthy, not due to the slaugthering activity but more due to the fact that the place was left unattended by the authorities. If one wishes to gauge the performance of the Council workers, this is the best place to visit in the city of Alor Setar! In fact, I have not been there for quite some time as I am appalled by the amount of thrash left scattered. Of course, it is up one's interpretation what filth means.

From what I could see, the daily business within the abbatoir was carried out rather secretly, and in fact, an uninformed passer-by would not know what was going on inside the unmarked zinc structures, well sheltered by some tall trees and foliage. And to report that the abbatoir was in a village (called Kampung Berjaya) is definitely not true, as its location was very urban. It was located just behind a row of double-shophouses. To its right about 30 metres away is another row of double-storey shophouses, and some distance away is the wet market of Kampung Berjaya.

I am not in a position to comment about the stench or pollution that emanated from the abbatoir, but I am quite sure that the whole controversy had to do with the religio-cultural sensitivity of a certain group of people that demanded the removal of the abbatoir.

The large area in the vicinity of the abbatoir has been a place for itinerant traders (more of a morning market ) to hawk their wares, and is especially busy on Friday mornings. The whole place will be empty by noon, save for some traders in the wet market who are still around, doing the cleaning up.The area around the wet market has more established traders but quite recently many new faces have appeared vying for the remaining spots available. And now we see newly arrived traders of the 'flea market' type, setting up their wares behind the rows of shops until the riverside.

Many months ago, a part of that large area of land was earmarked for the construction of some shophouses,and was subsequently fenced up, leaving little space for the traders to do business. Whether they liked it or not some traders had to move closer to the abbatoir, and this I believe triggered certain parties to demand the removal of the abbatoir.

It is understandable that residents wanted the abattoir closed for various reasons:

1. unbearable stench
2. hygiene and health
3. quality of life
4. business and daily activities
5. value of residential and commercial properties

An alternative site which is more suitable for the purpose of building of an abattoir should be identified.

Consultation between operator of the abattoir, residents and the authorities must be initiated to get to the bottom of issues and matters that may arise.

No parties should be seen to be the loser, as a win-win-win solution could and should be arrived at with proper and complete discussions being held, and an amicable and mutually agreeable conclusion sought.

PAS and DAP and any other parties involved should be respectful of one another's position.

Confrontation and ill-will must not be allowed to come in between them, and good sense must always prevail.

It does not make any sense that the matter could not be resolved effectively and satisfactorily.

What BN did not solve for almost thirty years does not mean that PR would not or could not do it.

In this respect, DAP should not withdraw from the state government to protest any form of dissatisfaction. Instead, they should continue discussions until a mutually agreeable solution is obtained.

That's what they are there for in the first place - to help solve peoples' problems.

I smell this is another 'set-up' by PR just to make them noticable. The story will probably end like this by end of the day...kiss and make-up for PR coalition where the lone DAP man will apologize and rejoin the 'sad group' again. Whole bunch of actors (PR politicians) performing in the best picture with suspicious story line. If my prediction is right, I suggest eligible voters should vote wisely when comes next GE because we just could not afford to jeopardize our future with these circus crowns.

Very annoying to always see the pictures where all the puppets pointing fingers at the sight. I suppose they just want to get notice. Furthermore, this type of picture taking is also the worst... so so fake!!! I suppose we can also blame the cheap photographer.

Dont worry if supply not enough go and contact UMNO-BN in Melaka and N. Sembilan....sure they can help.

swipenter, please do not act like a racist. if you are a malaysian, you should look at it from a malaysian perspective. our malay friends at kampung berjaya have been passionate for the last 14 years but it does not give you the right to keep the slaughterhouse for another day. i am a malaysian chinese and i eat pork, but it makes me sick when i see so many chinese political parties "jumping and cursing" when the state government decided to do the right thing by going with the majority. i hate to say this but you are one of the hurdles for the nation to progress and be united.

if you can not do away with your "me chinese only" mentality, please migrate to china. another one of you is indeed a big burden to the country.

Mr Swipenter..are you blind or stupid or fails too read properly.. it was the abattoir owners who asked for 1 month notice but after 1 month passed no action was taken..before that many negotiations were taken place? need another 30 years ma to fine new place. If the abattoir owners had conscious (rather than a bunch of greedy lots) they would have closed it long time ago..you don't have to have a PhD to see that the said abattoir was harmful to health of the local residents and environment. I think the Kedah MB has done what he is supposed to done..Get a life..