Dayak MP: We eat pork, but we don't take bribes or do drugs

 

PARLIAMENT | A Sarawakian MP has called on all parties to respect different food choices, voicing his frustration over ongoing criticisms aimed at those who consume pork, including members of his Dayak community.

Willie Mongin (GPS-Puncak Borneo) emphasised that despite their consumption of pork, many in his community lead upright lives and do not engage in illegal or immoral activities.

“As a Dayak, we have never spoken badly or criticised what other people eat.

“While we do eat pork, many of us don’t take bribes, abuse drugs, or do anything weird. But we have been condemned as uncivilised for eating pork,” he told the Dewan Rakyat.

Therefore, Willie urged all Malaysians to refrain from mocking the food choices of other ethnic communities, adding he has seen a deluge of comments disparaging pork as “smelly” and “dirty” on social media.

“As a Dayak, we have never spoken badly or criticised what other people eat,” he said when debating a motion of thanks on Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s royal decree.

The GPS lawmaker also compared the smell of pork to budu and belacan, which, according to Willie, smells worse than pigs.

“Although pigs are smelly, budu and belacan are worse. But we have never insulted (the food items). We always respect each other and obey the king’s decree to live in harmony,” he added.

Budu is a delicacy made from fermented anchovies and is commonly found among the Malay community, especially in the east coast of the peninsula.

Belacan, meanwhile, is a fermented shrimp paste that produces a pungent smell. It is used in cooking by many ethnicities across Southeast Asia. - FMT