Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says pig farming must not disturb communities, stressing dialogue over division on sensitive land use issues.
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said pig farming activities should not be carried out in areas that cause unease among local residents, stressing that such operations must be located away from residential communities to preserve public harmony.
“If alternative locations far from residential areas can be found, then they may proceed,” Anwar said, reiterating that from a policy standpoint, the government does not oppose pig farming nor does it prohibit non-Muslims from consuming pork.
He was speaking at the Monthly Assembly of the Ministry of National Unity at Dewan Damar Sari here today.
Anwar emphasised that communities unfamiliar with such livestock should not be forced to accept operations near their homes, particularly when concerns over cleanliness, sanitation, environmental impact and odour are involved.
He said issues related to pig farming and other sensitive matters should not be politicised along racial or religious lines, but addressed based on legality, public interest and practical considerations.
“This is not about race. Even people who consume pork do not want pig farms near their homes because of environmental, hygiene and odour concerns.
“These are real problems, not imagined ones,” he said.
The prime minister acknowledged that new technologies used in developed countries could reduce sanitation and environmental risks, but stressed that such innovations should not be used to justify placing pig farms near villages or densely populated areas.
“The question is whether activities that cause controversy should continue in such locations. My answer is no.
“If suitable places that do not create unease can be found, then proceed. If Kuala Lumpur has no suitable areas, then there are none.
“If Selangor faces difficulty, then it is difficult,” he said, adding that authorities should not create unnecessary problems.
Anwar also cautioned that once such projects begin and expand, they become extremely difficult to reverse.
Beyond the issue of pig farming, Anwar called for greater maturity, restraint and respect in addressing sensitive social and communal matters, saying that governing a country required balance and wisdom rather than anger or hostility.
“The solution is not outrage, condemnation or humiliation. It is negotiation carried out with respect and understanding,” he said.
He noted that important national issues were often sidelined by constant quarrels and emotionally charged debates, lamenting that negative narratives frequently overshadowed meaningful discussions.
Reflecting on his upbringing in Bukit Mertajam, Anwar said Malaysians had long coexisted peacefully across racial and religious lines.
“I grew up with Malay, Chinese and Indian neighbours. There was no hostility.
“When I visited my Chinese neighbour as a child, long before halal food discussions became widespread, she made sure my food was packed separately.
“That is respect — and this is the spirit we must revive,” he said.
Anwar stressed that mutual respect must guide national policies and public discourse, adding that the rights of non-Muslims to consume pork must be respected, just as the rights of communities to safeguard their living environment must be upheld.
“We must respect each other’s rights. These matters should be discussed calmly, through consultation and dialogue, not rejected outright or forced through without consideration,” he said.
He urged the National Unity Ministry to lead by example in handling sensitive issues and to embody the values it seeks to promote to the public.
“The National Unity Ministry must stand as a model of the Malaysian spirit — a spirit of unity, moderation and respect that protects the people and the nation,” he said.
