Berani dalam Benar: When pigs start to fly.

Recently, the issue of large-scale pig farms reportedly planned in the Selangor state made the headline. It caught, no less, the attention of His Royal Highness (HRH) Sultan of Selangor, as the Ultimate Keeper of the State's well-being and tradition into action. HRH involvement could have been avoided if only those concerned with the issue are more responsible and doubly sensitive about the controversies at hand. 

To many, the Sultan's statement assuring the availability of the supply of pork for domestic consumption is totally understandable, and well appreciated. Indeed, this has been the case for a long time where the related needs are never deprived. In view of this, the many inconveniences caused - as reminded by the Sultan, are well tolerated. Nevertheless, to take this for granted, going beyond what is necessary has been a cause for concern, and deemed unacceptable. This is where the Sultan draws the line in no uncertain terms. He expressed serious concerns over the alleged plan "to allow pig farming operations near Kuala Langat" and "relocating them to Bukit Tagar in 2030." HRH publicly criticised the decision as "unnecessary and insensitive." What is more, taking into consideration the population sector nearby which is predominantly averse to such activities for good reasons. Added to this is the "long-standing environmental problems," infamously characterised by the intolerable stench, coupled with various health-threatening infestations, and the widespread water as well as land persistent pollution since 2010, as the Sultan noted. Indeed, the Royal Residence around the area is not even spared - a ridiculous situation to be, in that the government seems to be totally oblivious about. On this note, HRH speaks in the language of the rakyat, more than that of the MADANI government, let alone the “muted” various elected representatives busy with their daily routines.

While there has been a counter argument by the State agriculture committee chairperson that the project could be "managed cleanly and systematically without affecting the environment on local communities," he obviously is out of touch and missing the point. For starters, why is this not done earlier to demonstrate that it is possible well before the ambitious scale-up project is raised for public consumption. More so in the context of "export-oriented" as claimed? Why the need to be an exporter of pig meat, when the closest neighbouring nation with a significantly higher population that favours the produce seems not in the least interested. Instead, its focus is more of hi-tech products and innovations nothing to do with pigs. Selangor in the context of Malaysia, being the most sophisticated and advanced economy must have similar trajectories, where pig-farming for exports sounds dubious - as a Muslim-majority nation at that. Whatever the merit of the case, economically, it is very far off to compete locally as a viable pig exporter, what is more as the world's largest pig meat exporter is currently held by China. Let alone the many unethical issues that could be implicated as speculated.

That said, in the middle of last year, it was reported that Sarawak had witnessed the export of 800 heads of pig all the way to Selangor - hailed as "a historic moment" for Malaysia. Predictably, there will be bigger shipments and consignment containers to Selangor in the future for distribution covering throughout all of Peninsular Malaysia. The same Sarawak company has been said to be exporting some 2000 pigs weekly to Singapore too, the only one from this country so far with a quantity more than double that of Selangor! So much for the export argument for Selangor. 

In any case, how does it fit into the MADANI government framework? If at all? Is it the next planned MADANI label to come following the last MADANI sloganeering? If so, it really boggles the mind how  large-scale pig-farms can be inspired following the MADANI city concept said to be ready for implementation anytime soon. Then, why can’t the farm be part of the city as a showcase of a Grand MADANI concept for the world to see? Sitting well as a “sustainable project” in tandem with the other five core elements of the MADANI namely, Care and compassion, Respect, Innovation, Prosperity and Trust. And taking the practical suggestions by HRH, the proponents of the MADANI pig-farms should be lived close by alongside at the site of a project to set out a new lifestyle in support of their preferred dream as proof of total convictions based on the rightful decisions that pigs can fly. Anything short of this implies that the whole idea should be thoroughly reviewed giving the Sultan's full interventions due considerations and actions. Only then, in no uncertain terms that pigs indeed fly the MADANI way! Therein it is time to hear from the authoritative Islam agency. 

 It always seems impossible until it is done          Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)