KOTA KINABALU, Oct 21 — Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) vice-president David Ong has criticised a proposal to shut down pig farms nationwide and rely on imported pork, saying it could undermine Malaysia’s food security, local agriculture and multicultural values.
Ong was responding to a suggestion by Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan, arguing that environmental and public health concerns should be addressed through better farm management, modern technology and stricter environmental standards rather than closing the industry.
He said food security required maintaining domestic production capacity to guard against supply disruptions, price fluctuations and changes in foreign export policies, adding that pig farming also supported farmers, workers, suppliers and other businesses along the supply chain.
Ong said policies must also respect Malaysia’s diverse communities and dietary practices, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak, while balancing environmental protection with agricultural development.
He urged political leaders to consider the economic and social consequences of their proposals, saying Malaysia should strengthen local food production and improve environmental standards rather than become unnecessarily dependent on imports. — Daily Express