“If Indonesia can recognise ‘babi guling’ as heritage dish, can Malaysia do likewise for ‘bak kut teh’?”

“If Indonesia can recognise ‘babi guling’ as heritage dish, can Malaysia do likewise for ‘bak kut teh’?”





THIS was the query by Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng who joined DAP party members and invited journalists for a bak kut teh (herbal pork rib soup) meal in Klang yesterday (March 7).

As the controversy over the Madani government’s proposal to make the controversial food a national heritage dish, the DAP is keen to point out that even in Muslim-majority Indonesia (a 2023 Pew Research data noted that 93% of adult Indonesian identified themselves as Muslims), the famous babi guling is recognised as an integral part of Bali’s culinary heritage.

Noting how the famed spit-roasted babi guling is intrinsically linked to Bali and is used to promote tourism to the island, Lim believes bak kut teh can similarly boost the economy of Klang where the dish originates from.

Lim and other prominent DAP leaders savoured a sumptuous bak kut teh meal at the Yeoh Bak Kut Teh restaurant in the Klang Hokkien Association after a media conference. Doubtlessly, DAP is especially keen to use the bak kut the polemic as a rallying call for multi-culturalism and recognition of diversity in the country.

Those in attendance included retired DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, Klang MP V. Ganabatirau, Bandar Baru Klang state assemblyman Dr Quah Perng Fei and Klang Bak Kut Teh Association representative Benjamin Tan.

Meanwhile, Kok who is also the National DAP vice-chairman recalled that previously when DAP and PAS were political allies, a halal version of bak kut teh was served at gatherings to promote the message of national unity.

More to the point, the six-term Seputeh MP who herself is a fan of vegetarian bak kut teh also highlighted that there were over 200 national heritage dishes and not all were halal. So why the brouhaha over bak kut teh?

Tourist dollars aside, the whole imbroglio seems to centre around the inclusion of a dish that is the epitome of ‘non-halalness to represent a Muslim-majority nation.

However, the crux of the issue is diversity and a recognition that Malaysia is a melting pot society with people of diverse backgrounds which further contribute to its uniqueness.

While certain parties, the DAP included, seek to politicise the matter, the truth of the matter is that this is a litmus test for Malaysians. Can they accept that various communities have significantly contributed to the country’s identity?


Main pic credit: Malaysiakini