Willie says his pork remarks directed at online insults, not pig faming

KUCHING (Jan 23): Puncak Borneo MP Datuk Willie Mongin has clarified that his recent remarks in the Dewan Rakyat were not about pig farming facilities, but about online insults targeting communities based on their choice to eat pork.

In a Facebook post explaining his parliamentary speech, Willie said he was responding to netizens who insulted and condemned all pork consumers while discussing pig farms, stressing that the two issues should not be conflated.

“What I am saying is that, as Dayaks, we never insult other people’s food, but we are often the target of criticism just for eating pork,” he said.

He added that the Dayak community “doesn’t take many bribes, doesn’t get involved in drugs, doesn’t do strange things”, yet is still looked down upon solely because of its dietary practices.

Willie reiterated that he did not comment on pig farming facilities, and that he also opposed pig farms being located in unsuitable areas, referencing the controversy surrounding a pig farm project in Bukit Tagar, Selangor.

His focus was on calling out online behaviour that demeans people for their food choices.

During the debate on the Motion of Thanks for the Royal Address, Willie urged Malaysians to respect cultural food choices and not link food preferences to morality or cultural values, saying such attitudes undermine harmony in Malaysia’s multiracial society.

To illustrate his point, he compared pork to local foods like budu and belacan, which may have strong odours but are respected as part of Malaysia’s diverse culinary heritage.

He also stressed that he did not mention any specific race or religion in his speech, focusing solely on netizens posting insulting comments.

Calling for greater mutual respect, Willie urged the public to view his full parliamentary speech and not spin his remarks into a separate debate on pig farming, reiterating that respect for differences was key to living harmoniously in Malaysia.