Malaysian citizens group demands relaxation of pork import restrictions

A group representing ethnic Chinese citizens of Malaysia, who make up slightly less than a quarter of the country's population, says that the government should allow imports of pork and pork-containing products throughout the year in order to keep prices down, according to the Malaysian newspaper The Star.
The majority of Malaysians are Muslims and, according to religious custom, do not eat pork. However, most ethnic Chinese Malaysians are not Muslims and have no religious restrictions against pork consumption. The government has eased pork import restrictions for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration.
Chua Soi Lek, deputy president of the Malaysian Chinese Association, said in a press conference that large swine farms in Malaysia are cutting production even though daily demand has remained steady at about 5,000 to 6,000 pigs, resulting in increased prices.
Farmers and retailers have argued publicly for three years about who is responsible for price increases, according to The Star, but Chua laid the blame squarely on producers. "There seems to be an element of monopoly by some big farmers," he said.