KUCHING, Feb 14 2026:Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan has urged Malaysians to respect the rights of minorities to rear pigs in the country.
He said criticisms against the minorities of their practices is acceptable, but discrimination or singling out communities is not.
“Let us uphold a Malaysia that balances development, environmental responsibility, and the constitutional rights of all citizens.
“We call on policymakers at all levels to engage stakeholders constructively, ensure compliance with environmental standards, and formulate regulations that protect both public health and the livelihood rights of lawful farmers,” he said in a statement in response to an on-going uproar over pig farming in Malaya.
Voon pointed out that the debate on pig farming has stirred strong opinions, particularly regarding hygiene and environmental concerns.
“While these are valid topics for discussion, it is vital that public discourse remains fair, grounded in facts, and compliant with the law,” he said, stressing that under Article 8 of the Federal Constitution, all citizens are equal before the law and entitled to equal protection of the law.
“This explicitly prohibits discrimination based on religion, race, descent, or place of birth,” Voon said, adding that pig farming, which is a lawful economic activity, cannot be unfairly targeted simply because it is associated with certain communities.
“Furthermore, Article 5 guarantees the right to life and liberty, which the courts have interpreted to include the right to livelihood,” he said, noting that for many families and small businesses, pig farming is not just a trade but a means of survival and a legitimate source of income.
He said it also contributes to Malaysia’s broader economy, supporting jobs and local industries.
According to data from the Federation of Livestock Farmers’ Associations of Malaysia, Voon said the pig industry is a significant component of the livestock sector with an estimated output value of around RM4 billion, a figure that illustrates its economic footprint and role in national food production and commerce.
In addition, he said regional development plans, such as those underway in Sarawak, project that the swine industry could generate an additional RM1.5 billion in annual revenue by 2030 through expanded modern farming operations.
He noted that Minister Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dr Stephen Rundi Utom was reported as saying that Sarawak “expects to earn at least RM1.5 billion additional annual revenue from the swine industry by 2030
He said these figures underscore the importance of pig farming not only as a source of livelihood for individual farmers but also as a contributor to broader economic activity, including domestic supply chains and export potential.
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