Melaka pig farmers
Sep 5th, 2007 by Tian
3 Sept: I had been receiving messages that tension was building in Paya Mengkuang Melaka since morning. In the afternoon, three pig rearing areas—Bukit Beruang, Man Lok and Bukit Bumbun—had turned into a war zone. The authorities had mobilized large troops of FRU, police and law enforcers of Alor Gajah Town Council to encircle the farms.
At 21:00hr, there was strong indication that the demolition of pig farms would start at midnight or dawn. I decided to go down to find out the situation.
The whole night was raining cats and dogs. I arrived at about 10 past 12 midnight. It was still heavy downpour. The farmers and supporters were assembling in coffee shop in a nearby township Kuala Sungai Baru. Leaders from DAP and several Chinese associations were already there.
I gave a short speech stating our position. I was very pleased that our non-Chinese party leaders were also there. Melaka KeADILan Vice Chairperson Yusof Abdullah was working side-by-side with the Action Committee. Our State Youth Chief Hussein who is a local of Paya Mengkuang was here in solidarity too. Other Melaka activists include: Jayathas, Lim Swee, Ginie etc.
Yusof Abdullah, KeADILan Melaka state vice chairperson (middle) standing on the left of Sim Tong Him, DAP ex-ADUN Bandar Hilir (right 2).
Yusof’s presence has certainly raised some eyebrows. For UMNO, this is another piece of evidence that KeADILan betrays the Malay. Many UMNO members also accused Yusof being un-Islamic.
Yusof’s answer was simple. His action has not deviated from Islam, nor he endorses pork eating for Muslims. He was simply defending the rights and livelihood of farmers. This is the manifestation of KeADILan’s principles. Our democratic struggle can also be successful only with strong inter-ethnic solidarity.
While we were in the coffee shop, the mobilization for demolition continued. The next morning, I found out that about 2000 personnels had been deployed to crack down the farmers.
More than 16 tractors were brought into the areas and parked in the compound of solid waste disposable/recycling center. The farmers and supporters organized themselves to protect their property vigilantly.
At 03:00hr morning, several farmers were alerted that RELA and Immigration officers were intruding into their land.
Immigration? It is clear that to carry out Immigration raid on foreign workers was an act of harassment.
The raid was simultaneous at about a dozen farms. RELA and Immigration cut through the fences, climbed over gate and rounded up all foreign workers. They were tied up with the “disposable” plastic handcuff.
Their employers were then asked to present the workers’ passports and permit. Probably the pig farmers had long been aware of the sensitive nature of their industry, they left nothing to chance. At the end, not even one migrant worker failed to show valid document.
After nearly three hours, the troops withdrew and all workers released. No apology offered.
By the time the team left, it was almost time for Subur. But for the farmers and villagers a big battle is waiting in the next few hours.
When will the prosecution upon the pig farmers stop and what is their future? Is Malaysia still a safe land to earn our living? When will Malaysia become a real democracy country without any discrimination? When will every Malaysian be treated equally and be given the same right? Is migration a better choice? Do I still need to be patriotic while my country forsake me? Is Malaysia has brighter future? I believe that everybody has the right to has a better living, and so am I.
Poor trusting farmers, sold off by MCA dogs
One should be able to understand of the background of the story. This is not the matter of discrimination. We should be matured enough differenciate the need for good living without any pollution i.e air pollution as well as water pollution. As the multiracial country, one should be able to care about the sensitivity of other races. If this basic requirement can be maintained, I believe and confidence that no one in this earth would feel that he or she is being discriminated.