THE Penang Island City Council (MBPP) will be assigning a technician to maintain and repair the pig scalding and dehairing machine at the slaughterhouse in Jalan Sungai here.
The decision was made after a short meeting was held between Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, state representatives, MBPP officers and the members of the Penang Pig Slaughtering Association at the slaughterhouse today.
The association committee member Low Beng Liang said the machine had occasional breakdowns, and the maintenance or repair works were not properly done.
MBPP engineering director A. Rajendran said the council had called for tender twice to replace the old machine but there was no takers.
“No one submitted their application.
“It was also not budgeted this year to replace the machine. So, we are repairing it instead.
“The machine is about 50 years old. There are wear and tear. And the machine is unable to perform like before,” Rajendran said.
Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim said the association sought her help to address the matter.
“The issue here is about the lack of maintenance and commitment,” she said.
Chow urged the council to study the matter properly.
“Look at the other slaughterhouses and find out how they operate.
“Check out their machine. Get their contact and work out a solution.
“If the machine needs to be replaced, I think you should set aside a budget to do so.
“Maintenance must be done to reduce the occasional breakdowns during this period.
“As you said, a technician will be placed here; hence, the maintenance issue is taken care of,” he said.
The association secretary Tan Seok Wah thanked Chow and team for visiting the site.
She also thanked Lim for her assistance.
Also present were Jelutong MP R.S.N. Rayer, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang and the association chairman Chng Ee Seng.