Bekasi asked to close pig farms

BEKASI: The Bekasi administration has been asked to close all pig-breeding farms in its territory because local residents have objected to their existence.

"The government should do this to avoid violent protests from the locals who have been demanding that pig farms should not be allowed in residential areas," Abid Marzuki, who claimed to be an environmentalist told Antara on Monday.

He noted that the Bekasi administration should be able to differentiate between a business that is compliant with Islamic law (syariah) and that which is not.

"This is particularly important because most of Bekasi residents are Muslims and the Muslim holy month of Ramadhan is approaching," he said.

The pig-breeding farms, which also function as slaughter houses, are located in the subdistricts of Kedungringin, Tambun, Jatimulya and Muara Gembong. Collectively they sell and slaughter over 2,000 pigs every day.

Local residents have protested about the farms, saying that the stench they emit is foul and that they have tarnished the image of the Muslims residing in the area. --JP