Who wants the pigs?

 

It is undeniable that no community welcomes a pig farm in its backyard—Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Yet dismantling the industry altogether would create a vacuum, forcing Malaysia to rely on pork imports.

The industry should not be viewed solely through the lens of halal and haram. Instead, it must be recognised as a sector in need of revitalisation—modernised with the right technology rather than sustained through outdated practices.

During my visit to Germany some 15 years ago, I was struck by how central pork is to German cuisine. It is a staple, served in virtually every major restaurant. What impressed me most was the assurance from locals that their pigs are raised under strict hygienic conditions. That memory resurfaced when debates over pig farming in Selangor emerged recently.

For Malaysia’s food security, the government should take the lead in modernising pig farming. By introducing advanced technology, productivity and hygiene standards can be elevated, ensuring safe and sustainable meat production. It has nothing to do with championing a "haram" industry but helping to spearhead an industry that could eventually contribute to the growth domestic products (GDP) instead of depending on imports. 

Of course, such modernisation requires significant capital investment, as with any agricultural venture. This is why traditional local farmers lack the financial capacity, and technically, the state government should step in—much like Selangor once did with the National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd (NFCorp), though that initiative unfortunately failed to deliver results.

I am not necessarily referring to the state government of Selangor. If they choose to be out of the equation, there is nothing much you can do.

Think out of the Box 

I am referring to three other states that could consider developing pig farming into a thriving industry.

Selangor pig farmers should not feel discouraged; instead, they should begin thinking creatively—perhaps even relocating their farms to states with more available land and a stronger workforce, where the industry could flourish.

In his column in The Sunday Star, Bernama chairman Wong Chun Wai suggested that Sabah and Sarawak take the lead in building a robust pork industry to supply the rest of Malaysia.

Building on his idea, I would add that the relocation of Indonesia’s capital to Borneo presents a unique opportunity in the near future. This shift could stimulate demand for pork in East Malaysia, while also opening doors for export to nearby markets such as the Philippines.

Pig Island 

I understand many years ago, there was a small island off Penang where certain prisoners were sent for detention there. As the island is separate from the mainland where people live, if the island is no longer used for such a detention depot, what about using it now to develop an industry that Penang can benefit greatly. 

The pig farms can also support the food tourism in Penang, making the meat less expensive compared to having to import from overseas. At the same time, since Penang has introduced biogas plants to turn pig waste into renewable energy, this could also turn the pig farming industry into a self-sustaining industry. 

I believe the Penang state government would see this as a great opportunity. I do not read Mandarin myself but I remember one word can be read as "adversity," but when you flip it upside down, it is read as "opportunity." Too bad, I cannot find that word now.

But one writer gives a very good example to illustrate how an adversity 危险机会 

can be turned into an opportunity by simply dropping the second and fourth characters:

危机
 

In my opinion, all three state governments of Penang, Sabah and Sarawak should lead a delegation of potential investors and pig farmers to learn from the Germans manage their pig farming industry to become what it is today. 

But, someone has to take the lead to make this happen.