Selangor Infrastructure and Agriculture Exco Datuk Ir Izham Hashim has indicated that legal action may be taken against former Sungai Pelek assemblyman Ronnie Liu over allegations linked to the state’s long-running pig farming issue.
Izham, who is also the Pandan Indah assemblyman, said he is currently consulting his legal team to determine whether Liu’s statements contain elements of serious defamation that warrant court action.
According to him, many of the accusations levelled against him were reckless, baseless and politically motivated, particularly with the upcoming state and general elections drawing closer.
“I am reviewing the matter with my lawyers to see whether there are excessive defamatory elements that require legal action,” he said in a video posted on Facebook on Sunday.
Izham strongly denied claims that he was the mastermind behind proposals to end pig farming activities in Selangor. He stressed that as a former state executive councillor, Liu should understand that major state policies must be tabled before the State Executive Council (MMKN) and approved collectively.
He explained that the agriculture portfolio naturally covers matters involving the pig farming industry, an issue that has remained unresolved for more than three decades.
The Amanah leader also dismissed allegations that he was responsible for the proposal to establish a modern pig farm in Bukit Tagar. He said the idea was originally raised by an investor who already operated a farm in the area and had been discussed extensively by relevant stakeholders.
“We cannot develop a modern pig farm in an area affected by disease outbreaks because it would only create ongoing problems,” he said.
At the same time, Izham emphasised that the Selangor government had always been open to feedback and objections from local residents regarding the proposed project.
He further revealed that all efforts related to the pig farming issue were halted following a royal decree from the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who instructed that the matter be brought to a close.
“The state government respects His Royal Highness’s decree and has decided to cease all related efforts,” he said.
Responding to allegations that he had threatened pig farmers during a closed-door meeting, Izham described the claim as irresponsible and challenged those making the accusation to lodge a police report if they had evidence.
“When did I threaten anyone? If I really did, report me to the police. That is not my culture, nor is it Amanah’s culture. We are not PAS 2.0,” he said.
Izham also rejected claims that Amanah was sidelining the Chinese community, insisting that Chinese members remain an important part of the party and that their welfare continues to be taken seriously.
The controversy erupted after Ronnie Liu reportedly claimed that Amanah could lose political influence in Selangor at the next election due to public dissatisfaction over the pig farming issue linked to Izham.
Meanwhile, Selangor Amanah Communications Director Abbas Salimi Azmi said the party strongly rejects suggestions that the pig farming controversy would damage its future political prospects, describing such claims as unfounded and misleading.
