Sabah should not depend on pork imports from Denmark and Norway as a long-term solution to supply shortages, according to Luyang assemblyman Samuel Wong, MalayMail reports.
The lawmaker made the remarks after Sabah approved six companies to import pork from the two Nordic countries to help ease shortages in the state.
While welcoming the move as a short-term measure, Wong said Sabah must focus on rebuilding its local pig farming industry to ensure food security and stable prices.
“Imports may solve today’s shortage, but only stronger local production can guarantee Sabah’s food security, stable prices and long-term economic opportunities,” he said in a statement.
Sabah’s pig farming sector was hit hard by outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) in 2021, which led to major livestock losses and forced many farmers to reduce operations or leave the industry altogether.
Wong noted that neighbouring Sarawak is actively expanding its pig population towards 2030, while Sabah continues to rely on imported pork supplies.
He urged the state government to speed up the completion of the Tongod Pig Farming Park, a project under the Sabah Agriculture BlueprinPorkt 2020–2030. According to Wong, the facility is about 80 percent complete but has yet to begin operations.
The assemblyman also called for stronger veterinary and biosecurity systems, financial support for farmers, rebuilding breeding stock, and greater participation by young people in modern livestock farming.
Denmark and Norway are among the world’s major pork-exporting nations and have become an important source of supply for Sabah as local production continues to recover from the ASF outbreak.
