KUALA LUMPUR: Derogatory remarks about the food of other races have no place in a multicultural Malaysia, says a government backbencher. Datuk Willie Mongin (GPS-Puncak Borneo) called for mutual respect, citing instances where pork was labelled as disgusting and foul-smelling. “Us Dayaks have never insulted the dishes of others, yet there are times we have been labelled as being uncivilised for eating pork. We must show mutual respect for the dishes served by other ethnic groups. Yet, we do not make negative comments on (such dishes),” he said when debating the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Jan 21).

Source: The Star January 21, 2026 15:04 UTC