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On September 4, there was a supposedly 'tense' stand-off between pig farmers in Paya Mengkuang, Melaka and members of the police forces who were supported by the Federal Reserve Unit. The authorities had ordered the culling of pigs being reared at the farms in that area but the pig farmers were not happy to take it lying down.

The background of events leading to that 'tense' stand-off was that the Alor Gajah Town Council and District Land Office had been issuing a number of notices, including eviction notices, to the pig farmers in that area. Amongst the reasons for the notices were that the structures were erected on agricultural land and lacked the requisite building approvals. (See NST January 2, 2006)

There was also the alleged issue of beta agonist abuse (a cancer causing growth enhancer) rampant amongst the pig farmers in that area. This coupled with the fact that the pig farms were also a source of pollution to the environment must have made it easier when the government decided to act against the recalcitrant farmers.

What was puzzling though was the attempts at misreporting, seemingly an ailment even afflicting the big agencies like AFP and Reuters, where both agencies reported that the pig culling had begun. The reality was that NO SUCH CULLING OCCURRED.

In fact, all that happened was a lot of standing around to 'allow' the politicians to cobble a so called resolution of the issue.

Nevertheless, amidst all this brouhaha, it would have been quite easy to miss the forest for the trees. The 'forest' lies simply in appreciating whether there is an answer to the following question:

With all the eviction notices issued, illegal structures owned by the pig farmers and issues of environmental pollution, WHY did we stop the culling of the pigs and/or not demolish the pig farms?

Before anyone gets up in arms about the poser, allow me to clarify the context of the question. On or about July 30, the authorities moved to act against another 'illegal structure' - the Sri Periyachi Amman Temple in Tambak Paya Village, Malacca. It was demolished. The only problem is, I honestly am unable to reconcile the contradictory positions taken by the authorities.

In such circumstances, it is hard not to be cynical and ignore the reality that one was a commercial venture thereby constituting a source of revenue for the authorities.* The other clearly was a spiritual venture and presented no source of income for the near future.

Nevertheless, I will attempt to stem that tide of cynicism and invite anyone with a clearer comprehension of the two contradictory events to proffer their views on the same. Admittedly, such an explanation should rightfully emanate from the authorities but ‘elegant silence’ appears to be a new national malady.

Still, such silence only leaves too many unanswered questions. I mean how is anyone ever to avoid the bitter impression that this issue was resolved in an arbitrary, even discriminatory, manner in the face of such inelegant silence?

Sadly, the answer to that question is beyond my remit but belongs squarely in the laps of the authorities. In its absence, it perhaps may suffice to conclude by quoting the sagely words of Stephen R. Covey who once said: "Accountability breeds responsibility.”

*Pig farmers have to pay a levy each time a pig is sold.

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