I know, the title of this post just doesn’t make sense to most of you, but I was stunned to hear racist statements coming from fellow Malaysians who are shallow in their thinking. Why? We all know the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico and now spreading fast to other parts of the world, especially in North America. The thing is swine flu caused by H1N1 virus (almost similar to H5N1, Avian Flu) is not something new. Most animals can be infected with respiratory disease just like human. Similarly, swine flu is a respiratory disease normally found in pigs and caused by type A influenza viruses.
Prior to the sudden outbreak in Mexico, reports on swine flu infection on human were documented but they were very rare just like avian flu. What causes the major outbreak is still under investigation, though some experts have suggested that pig farmers in Mexico are trying to cut cost by not using influenza vaccine to prevent swine flu on their pigs.
Now, what pisses me off is that in Malaysia, some people are trying to link swine flu with pork eaters (to be exact, non-Muslims) by spreading racist statements. I personally heard a mid-30 woman said (translated) "Never mind, we won’t get swine flu because we don’t eat pork. Let them die with their pork!" And another guy supported her by saying "Yeah, who ask them to open so many pig farms, now they deserve it!". The most annoying statement followed after that (which I don’t want to translate) "Babi betul lah babi ni, sama juga orang babi! Bagi mampos semua!" I was very very angry yet I just keep quiet because I was not in the mood to confront them at that time, was busy with some urgent matters.
But tell me, don’t you think those statements are racist? And coming from two people who are supposed to be educated, reflect just how far our nation has grown into. First and foremost, swine flu virus is airborne, meaning it can spread through air and not transmitted by food. Just because you don’t take pork, doesn’t mean you’re safe from swine flu! Second, why are those people so happy when other people are suffering from the disease? You think they want it to happen? My goodness…. Maybe they are just among the very few who have such shallow thoughts, but hearing it just hurt your ears especially in a nation that promotes racial harmony and tolerance. At the very least, we show some sympathy towards those are infected and not diverting it to some petty issues like pork eaters or pig farmers. Sad, but it’s perhaps a reality that we need to face.
You can refer to CDC website on Swine Flu or Mnistry of Health Malaysia for more info.
(Pictures courtesy of AFP)
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Well swine flu has caught the rage here as well. And erm, there are lots of Mexicans here, and I have friends too who thinks it stupid that people brand them as carriers of the disease. I think its simply shallow to think that way.
Anyway...I'm also droppin by to say thanks for the ED ad and I have approved it now. It should be running in a few days. Thanks again!
+I couldn't agree more, it's a pandemic, no one is excuse, juz like sars, it doesn't rly spread throughout the world thru eating, but in many forms, traveller bird, n sorts, so so, those who says so, they better pray hard they won't get infected, shud we show compassion 2 them if they were the ones being infected? This is a rather subjective question, but all in all, I say we don't put ourselves in the same line as them...
Agreed 101% with KeeMan. Race (and religion) has no role in causing epidemics.
> School of Thoughts 1: Pigs = Dirty = Unhealthy.
> SoTs 2: Pigs = Non-Muslims = Dirty
> SoTs 3: Pork = Pour Coke on the meat you will see worms coming out (dunno how true is this)
Any form of meat you take, be it pork, chicken, beef - the issue here is that we need to look back into the initial farming methods; the environment the livestocks are reared (the "cages" they "live in", quality of feeds they are fed with. Where do you see race coming into the picture? No? Well, there you go.
Anyway, now the influenza A/H1N1 virus genetic structure is rather lethal; it is in the "triple-combo mode": it contains fragments of human, pig and avian DNA.
Guess nature is outsmarting us all huh.
What do you expect from a racist government ? of course a racist government is created by racist people. i am not Malaysian, just a student in Malaysia. You can even feel the racism among Malay lecturers toward students in universities and colleges. I had never seen something like this. Malay people receive more salary than other races in Malaysia. why? because they are Malay.
I have no surprise... I've stayed in malaysia for almost 2years now and about 99% of malays (bumi putra) and totaly racist. at first i thought it was only to my race. only to find that they are racist to the Chinese and Indians here too (maybe a little less commonly to them).
I hate this place and want to finish my studies ASAP and never return
Hey I am SO SCARED OF H1N1!!GRRH BEST NOW MALAAYSIA ALSO KENA!!
Hey, I came across your blog, while helping my kids research Swine Flu cases in Malaysia.
I understand why you feel upset about people who condemn pork eaters for eating pork. At the same time, I can see their angle. Just to point out quickly: To date, there is NO religion on earth that requires its followers to eat Pork. As a matter of fact, aside from religions that adhere to a vegetarian diet, Pork is actually forbidden (as in Islam, Judaism, and Christianity). I know, I know Christians play dumb when it comes to the rules in the "Old Testament" ...but that's where all the important rules come from actually.
Maybe this flu is a curse from God, like the curses placed upon the nations before us who didn't follow the rules? Maybe this is proof positive that pork is diseased and gross?
Either way, I think that most Muslim Malaysians are very tolerant. Think about it: Muslims don't eat pork or alcohol, but look at how many Carlsberg Beer signs you can find...not to mention the alcohol breweries! And notice the open presence of pork in predominantly Chinese neighborhoods. That seems exceedingly tolerant to me, especially considering the 60%+ Muslim majority population that absolutely hates those items.
Try seeing it from the Muslim perspective. I know that the people you are writing about seem like they are gloating a bit and they seem too harsh in their words. But I think that there will always be some underlying resentment from Muslims who try to teach their children about religion while living next to a beer factory or pig farm, right? ;)
Hi Rashad,
Thanks for dropping by. I totally agree with your points and I have no problem with Muslims, judging that i'm from Kelantan and 90% of my best friends are Muslims. I'm not saying Muslims in Malaysia are not tolerant.
The thing is, i don't take pork that much myself and I don't go around cursing pork eaters so that they get swine flu. I'm rather angry not because of the "pork eating thing" but the way those "educated" people present their thoughts. Imagine you're educating your child about Swine Flu, will you go and tell them, "hey it's these bunch of people who caused them. You should hate them!" I think an educated parent won't do that right?
Anyway, glad you stopped by to read my humble blog post.
Amazing how Malaysians always manage to put a racist angle to almost everything, including a flu outbreak.
When there exists differences of opinions, there exists sides and schools of thoughts. But when opinions do indicate infringement of human rights, i think that is when thinking is important before mumbling that opinion....education and teachings are what people practice. so, if the schools or any teaching events do not teach the things that will benefit the society, we have problems of all sorts....those who complain about differences in races, they must approach the creator to demand intentions and actions...leave the people on earth to live in peace or else declare to be acting on behalf of the creator.