Did you know that it is illegal to bring pork and pork-based products into Malaysia at the KL International Airport? - Scoop file pic, February 17, 2026
What the pork!? – Rocky Bru
Rocky Bru reflects on a surprise in-flight warning about Malaysia’s pork import ban, tracing its public health roots and the politics of pig farming through a seasoned traveller’s lens
Rocky Bru
Updated 1 day ago
17 February, 2026
4:13 PM MYT
DID you know that it is illegal to bring pork and pork-based products into Malaysia at the KL International Airport?
Well, up till yesterday, we were ignorant. So when the pre-landing announcement on flight MH0749 from Danang said so, we looked at each other, startled.
Since when?
The last time we came back through KLIA was a month ago, from a mountaineering trip in Nepal. We were flying Batik Air, and there was no such announcement. As usual, passengers were reminded that Malaysia had tough laws on the smuggling of illicit drugs. The death penalty awaits anyone convicted.
On Malaysia Airlines flight back yesterday, passengers were told that besides illicit drugs, the Malaysian government bars the importation of pork (khinzir was used in the Malay announcement) and pork-based products. If you are carrying any, do get rid of them at the “quarantine bins” designated along the way to the airport Customs and Immigration point. Failure to do so could get you in real trouble. You could be fined up to RM100, 000 in fines or jailed for six months, or even both.
We consider ourselves quite the seasoned travellers, so not knowing this prohibition on pork and pork-based products had left us stumped and sheepish. When did this new law come into effect?
What the pork!? – Rocky Bru
Rocky Bru reflects on a surprise in-flight warning about Malaysia’s pork import ban, tracing its public health roots and the politics of pig farming through a seasoned traveller’s lens
Rocky Bru
Updated 1 day ago
17 February, 2026
4:13 PM MYT
DID you know that it is illegal to bring pork and pork-based products into Malaysia at the KL International Airport?
Well, up till yesterday, we were ignorant. So when the pre-landing announcement on flight MH0749 from Danang said so, we looked at each other, startled.
Since when?
The last time we came back through KLIA was a month ago, from a mountaineering trip in Nepal. We were flying Batik Air, and there was no such announcement. As usual, passengers were reminded that Malaysia had tough laws on the smuggling of illicit drugs. The death penalty awaits anyone convicted.
On Malaysia Airlines flight back yesterday, passengers were told that besides illicit drugs, the Malaysian government bars the importation of pork (khinzir was used in the Malay announcement) and pork-based products. If you are carrying any, do get rid of them at the “quarantine bins” designated along the way to the airport Customs and Immigration point. Failure to do so could get you in real trouble. You could be fined up to RM100, 000 in fines or jailed for six months, or even both.
We consider ourselves quite the seasoned travellers, so not knowing this prohibition on pork and pork-based products had left us stumped and sheepish. When did this new law come into effect?
Malaysia has banned the import of pork and pork-based products from several countries, including China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Vietnam, since 2018. – Bernama file pic, February 17, 2026
A quick check with Google confirms that Malaysia strictly prohibits the import of pork and pork-based products from several countries (including China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Vietnam) in September 2018 due to the African Swine Fever.
It was supposed to be a temporary measure, but in May 202,4 local newspaper The Sun reported that the Malaysian government was maintaining the ban due to health concerns.
The Malaysian government issued the import ban through the Veterinary Services and Customs departments, in accordance with the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728).
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) reported the ASF outbreak in Malaysia in October 2023. The first confirmed ASF case was in February 2021 in Sabah, with subsequent cases in the peninsula in December of the same year. In July 2023, ASF was detected in wild boars in Perak, followed by outbreaks on swine farms in Perak and Kedah in October.
Well, it is good to know that the recent brouhaha over pig farming in Selangor has nothing to do with the pork ban in KLIA. The Sultan of Selangor, irked by recent approvals for large-scale pig-farming activities in his state, suggested that those in the porky business import instead.
In any case, there won’t ever be a shortage of pork. The DAP chief, Anthony Loke, has assured pork lovers following the Selangor pig-farming controversy. “Chinese New Year will not feel like Chinese New Year without roast pig,” he said, guaranteeing that there will be roast pigs every CNY.
I’ve always associated Chinese New Year with fireworks and oranges and, more importantly, us Malaysians from different races and religions, pork eaters and not, celebrating together and wishing prosperity and harmony. And in that spirit, I wish all my readers Gong Xi Fa Cai. May the Lunar Year of the Horse bring prosperity, lifelong health and peace to all of us. – February 17, 2026
A quick check with Google confirms that Malaysia strictly prohibits the import of pork and pork-based products from several countries (including China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Vietnam) in September 2018 due to the African Swine Fever.
It was supposed to be a temporary measure, but in May 202,4 local newspaper The Sun reported that the Malaysian government was maintaining the ban due to health concerns.
The Malaysian government issued the import ban through the Veterinary Services and Customs departments, in accordance with the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728).
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) reported the ASF outbreak in Malaysia in October 2023. The first confirmed ASF case was in February 2021 in Sabah, with subsequent cases in the peninsula in December of the same year. In July 2023, ASF was detected in wild boars in Perak, followed by outbreaks on swine farms in Perak and Kedah in October.
Well, it is good to know that the recent brouhaha over pig farming in Selangor has nothing to do with the pork ban in KLIA. The Sultan of Selangor, irked by recent approvals for large-scale pig-farming activities in his state, suggested that those in the porky business import instead.
In any case, there won’t ever be a shortage of pork. The DAP chief, Anthony Loke, has assured pork lovers following the Selangor pig-farming controversy. “Chinese New Year will not feel like Chinese New Year without roast pig,” he said, guaranteeing that there will be roast pigs every CNY.
I’ve always associated Chinese New Year with fireworks and oranges and, more importantly, us Malaysians from different races and religions, pork eaters and not, celebrating together and wishing prosperity and harmony. And in that spirit, I wish all my readers Gong Xi Fa Cai. May the Lunar Year of the Horse bring prosperity, lifelong health and peace to all of us. – February 17, 2026
Datuk Ahirudin Attan is the Executive Director of Big Boom Media that publishes Scoop.my
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