'Race C bribes, Race M receives', says Terengganu exco on corruption

'Race C bribes, Race M receives', says Terengganu exco on corruption


Published: Jan 22, 2026 12:22 PM
Updated: 3:52 PM



Stirring up controversy, a Terengganu state executive councillor claimed that "Race C often gives bribes whilst Race M often receives bribes" - a reference to the ethnic Chinese and Malay communities, respectively.

State executive councillor for agriculture, food security and commodities Azman Ibrahim (above) made the remarks in a response to a Sarawakian MP who had defended the Dayak community by saying that while his people eat pork, they do not engage in corruption.

"The bottom line is, don't deflect the issue by linking pork and corruption. Corruption is a problem for all races. Race C often gives bribes, whilst Race M often receives bribes.

"The factor is easy to understand because Race M dominates the civil service. Other races are also involved in corruption as well," he said on Facebook today.

Yesterday, Puncak Borneo MP Willie Mongin voiced his frustration over ongoing criticisms aimed at those who consume pork, including members of his Dayak community.

While the Dayaks consume pork, he emphasised that many in his community lead upright lives and do not engage in illegal or immoral activities.

Puncak Borneo MP Willie Mongin


“As a Dayak, we have never spoken badly or criticised what other people eat.

“While we do eat pork, many of us don’t take bribes, abuse drugs, or do anything weird. But we have been condemned as uncivilised for eating pork,” he told the Dewan Rakyat.

‘Don’t conflate issues’

Meanwhile, Azman, who is also PAS agriculture and environmental sustainability committee chairperson, argued that corruption should not be conflated with dietary choices.

"Corruption is a major problem for the country. It's not a problem of any particular race, and it's not an issue of what the corrupt eat.

"That's why I presented some facts when the narrative 'we eat pork but we don't receive bribes’ was brought up," Azman said, referring to a chart which he shared in a post.

In the chart, ethnic Chinese are shown to have been nabbed the most for giving bribes, with 630 cases - followed by other races with 518 cases, Malays with 390, and Indians with 151.

Azman also posted a caption accompanying the chart saying: “Who says those who eat pork are not involved in corruption?"

The chart


The statistics are attributed to MACC and the Dewan Rakyat, covering the period between 2015 and June 30, 2025.


Pollution is the problem

In his post, Azman also clarified that the recent criticisms of pig farming relate primarily to environmental pollution rather than personal dietary choices.

"In the pig farming issue, the main concerns raised are about odour pollution, water pollution, environmental pollution, and various other issues.

“And the areas that fall victim are environments inhabited by those who don't eat pork," he added.

Azman cited the experience of Malay residents in Tasik Gelugor, Penang, who have had to "inhale pork-flavoured air", as an example.

"They had to inhale ‘pork-flavoured air’ emanating from the farm in Kampung Selamat for more than four decades," he said while stressing that personal consumption remains a private matter.

"Whether you want to eat, how many times a day you want to eat it, what pork recipes you want to cook, and how you want to serve it - that's entirely up to them and their families," he added.

However, Azman bemoaned that pig farms are being run in places where the community living there does not consume pork, which is disrespectful to Muslims.

"We live in a multi-racial and multi-religious country. Malay-Muslims feel disrespected when pig farming operations operate in areas where they are the majority.

“Who can deny that the smell and pollution from pig farms are extremely disgusting and nauseating? Why must Malay-Muslims be the victims?" he asked.

On Jan 12, Selangor ruler, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah approved several resolutions, including a decree that there will be no more pig farming operations in Tanjung Sepat following a meeting with several state executive council members.


READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | The battle over Selangor's pig farms


He also decreed that existing operations in the area should be stopped gradually and transferred completely to Bukit Tagar, in compliance with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements.