Muslim group wants ban on open selling of pork in Penang - TMI

Tensions went up a notch in Penang today when a Muslim non-governmental organisation demanded that local authorities ban the open selling of pork in the state.

Solidarity and Charity Organisation (Isco) claimed that the selling of pork openly was a disregard to Muslim sensitivity in the state.

Its president, Abdul Rahman Makhtun, said in a letter to Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) president Datuk Patahiyah Ismail today that the council should be more aware of Muslim sensitivity as the animal was haram in Islam.

"Isco is worried that pork sellers are getting braver in selling the meat around George Town in places like Lebuh Chulia, Jalan Kuantan, Jalan C.Y. Choy and other locations.

"We ask MPPP to take action against the insensitive pork sellers by stopping or making the open selling of pork illegal. We also call for action against illegal hawkers and businesses," he said in the letter.

Copies of the letter were also sent to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (pic), Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon and Penang Islamic Council (MAIPP) chairman Datuk Mohd Salleh Man.

The letters were delivered by Isco secretary Mohd Firdaus Humayoon to representatives from the respective offices on level three at Komtar today.

He was accompanied by, among others, Tanjung Umno Youth division vice-chief Mohd Yusmadi Mohd Yusof.

In an immediate response, Lim asked why the NGO and Umno were making this matter an issue now.

Lim, who was shown a copy of the letter by reporters at a function in Bayan Lepas, also said he was disappointed that Umno turned this into an issue and accused the party of provoking racial and religious sentiments.

"This is not new. This has been the practice since Barisan Nasional's days in government. Why did they not raise this during (former chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh) Tsu Koon's time?

"Umno should learn from PAS. This is not an issue in Kelantan, which has more than 95% Muslims. Pork sellers there also hang up the meat in markets.

"You just cannot trust Umno or repeat the things it says. It will eat you up," he said, taking another swipe at the party.

Lim noted that the locations mentioned in Isco's letter were areas with a predominantly non-Muslim population, adding that the NGO and Umno were also not respecting the sensitivities of a multiracial society themselves.

On the NGO's suggestion that pork sellers be allowed to sell the meat in closed areas, he asked: "So we imprison them, build walls around them?"

He said those complaining about illegal hawkers should not discriminately find fault with pork sellers alone.

"If they talk about action against illegal hawkers, it must be action against all illegal hawkers.”

State Islamic Affairs, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim said he was aware of the complaint.

He said he would look into the matter.

The Penang government under Pakatan Rakyat has been criticised many times over the last few years for enforcement exercises against illegal hawkers in the state. The exercises have led to the state and its leaders, particularly Lim, being accused of selective enforcement against Malay hawkers.

Earlier this week, the state government was accused of this again, following an exercise organised by the southwest district office to demolish illegal structures in Teluk Bahang.

It was reported that a group of people tried to prevent the authorities from carrying out the action, and assistant district officer Abu Hassan Omar was assaulted in the process.

The police have since picked up and remanded seven people, including a local Perkasa leader, for investigation into the incident. – January 24, 2014.