Serial No: IAH0016
Title: Pig Farmer
The only living evidence of the once active pig farming community in Batu Maung is the slaughterhouse which is still in operation today.
Tang Hang Chin, born 1933
Jalan Baru, Batu Maung
I was born in China. My parents brought me to Malaya when I was 3 years old. Initially they settled in Kedah and moved to Penang when I was 18. Our family started pig farming in the 1950s. We were staying in a coconut estate in Pangkalan, where the famous Snake Temple is. There were many pig farmers there among other residents. I remember feeding the pigs with banana tree trunks and yam leaves, they could be easily found in the estate.
In 1970s, we were given a notice to move because the land would be developed. The residents were compensated with houses at Batu Uban. For the pig farmers, we were offered land or houses at Jalan Baru, Batu Maung. Jalan Baru (new road) as its name indicates, was newly opened at that time. The government make purpose-built houses to accommodate the pig farmers. My family continued pig farming for 31 years and decided to stop in 1989. Starting 2006, the pig farmers were asked to move again to make way for a new industrial zone. The last of them moved out in year 2008.
Today Jalan Baru has changed. Many pig farm owners torn down their old houses and build modern warehouse facilities for rent. It is a lucrative income. For me, I am renovating mine into a small warehouse for rent too. The only living evidence of the once active pig farming community in Batu Maung is the slaughterhouse which is still in operation today.
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