KUCHING, Jan. 23 -- The controversy surrounding pig farming in Selangor should not be misrepresented as an issue of religious dietary practices or racial differences, said Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Responding to remarks made during a recent parliamentary debate by Puncak Borneo MP Datuk Willie Mongin, the Sarawak minister of youth, sports and entrepreneur development said such framing only fuels unnecessary misunderstanding and division.

Abdul Karim said the core issue raised concerns the management and location of pig farms, not the consumption of pork by non-Muslims.

"There has never been an issue about whether non-Muslims can eat pork," he said, adding that Muslims in Malaysia have long respected the dietary practices of...