Fact-check: Pork import restriction a long-standing biosecurity measure

A notice from a local airline has been circulating online, warning travellers about Malaysia’s ban on bringing pork and pork-based products into the country.

“To all disembarking passengers carrying those items, please dispose of them into designated disposal bins (quarantine bin).

“Failure to do so will result in the items being confiscated and the passenger can be fined up to RM100,000 or six years imprisonment or both,” read the undated notice.

Given the prevailing political climate, some have raised concerns that this is yet another sign of growing religious conservatism in Malaysia.

However, checks by Malaysiakini found that such import restrictions were indeed in place. It was a biosecurity measure introduced and applied to various countries years ago.

Ban in effect since 2018

The ban was put in place in 2018 to contain the spread of the African Swine Fever. The six countries affected when it was first introduced were China, Poland, Russia, Hungary, Moldova and Ukraine.

A ban on the interstate shipping of live pigs was also implemented to contain the spread of the disease within Malaysia.

When the disease inadvertently spread to local pig farms, the affected livestock had to be culled. The situation was so severe in Penang in January last year that it declared a state of “disaster” after several farms were hit.

More recently, AirAsia put up a notice dated October last year stating that Malaysia has imposed a “temporary ban” on pork and pork products due to a “recent outbreak of African Swine Fever”.

It applied to passengers entering Malaysia from four countries and territories, namely China, Macau, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.

A similar notice appeared on Indonesia’s Garuda Airline’s website. This notice was undated and did not specify which countries were affected by the ban.

However, checks on online archives found that the notice had been displayed since at least September 2021.

On the other hand, Malaysia Airlines’ website does not mention such a restriction, but instead said it would accept carriage of food items “subject to the execution of release”.

List of prohibited goods

The Royal Malaysian Customs Department’s online traveller’s guide said travellers can bring food preparations worth up to RM150 without paying customs duty or taxes, but also advised them to check its list of prohibited or restricted goods.

The list, known as the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023, stipulated that importing many types of food items, including prepared or preserved meat products, will require an import permit.

These will be subject to “inspection and approval by the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department” or its Sabah or Sarawak counterparts.

A violation of this rule is an offence under Section 11(3) of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011.

Upon the first conviction, it is punishable with a fine up to RM100,000, up to six years’ imprisonment, or both - the same penalties mentioned in the notices issued by the two airlines.

Subsequent convictions are punishable with a fine of up to RM150,000, up to seven years’ imprisonment, or both.

Malaysiakini and MyCheck are part of JomCheck, a fact-checking alliance.

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