Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang today criticised the media over their inaccurate reporting on the stand-off between the police and pig farmers in Paya Mengkuang, Malacca on Sept 4.

"Media, especially TV3, had accused the pig farmers of throwing Molotov bombs at the authorities. This is false reporting because to date, nobody could actually verify the facts," he said.

However, he said, TV3 or any other media which distorted the facts did not apologise or withdraw their statement.

Lim also lambasted the Malacca state government for the way the matter was handled, accusing it of not dealing fairly in the matter.

At this juncture, BN MPs rose to defend the state government's decision to forcibly cull thousands of pigs in the state.

However the culling was spared following a last minute temporary deal struck by the state government and the pig farmers.

Ismail Yaakob (BN-Bera) said that DAP was defending pig farmers because "they are of the same race as DAP MPs".

"It is not about pigs, it is mainly because of pollution. The opposition talks tirelessly about pollution. But when it comes to Malacca, they take a different side. Pollution is forgotten," he said.

Lim: We understand about the pollution caused by these (pig) farms. But there is a way to handle this. Why was there no notices given to the farmers before they (the authorities) came to cull the pigs? Is it because the authorities want to showcase their "arrogance of power"?

Mohamad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading): Notices were given years ago. The number of pigs in Alor Gajah have crossed the 150,000 cap set by the state government. Can you personally tell the farmers not to cross the limitation?

Why the limitation?

Lim also asked the need for such a limitation in number of pig population.

"And now they have to transport out the pigs to other states. What if other states also have their own limitation? What will the farmers do then? Is this a reasonable solution?" he said.

"If it is just pollution, we could work it out. Especially when Bank Negara has agreed to sanction loans that will help the farmers upgrade their farms," he added.

Responding to this, Idris Harun (BN-Tangga Batu) said that notices were given to the farmers three years back.

"We have to support if the government is showcasing 'arrogance of power' to control pollution," added Idris.

Lim countered by saying that controlling pollution did not justify the mobilization of over 2,000 personnel - both police and from the state authorities.

"If it is pollution that we are worried about, can the state government withdraw its directive to the farmers to transport out their pigs before Sept 21?

"Can the state government cancel its plan to cull over 90,000 pigs in the state?" he asked.