ISCO demands ban on open selling of pork in George Town

The state Solidarity and Charity Organisation (ISCO) has demanded the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) to ban the open selling of pork around George Town, as the activity was seen as lacking in sensitivity towards Muslims.

ISCO secretary Muhamad Firdaus Humayoon said MPPP should provide the traders with separate covered places and cited Lebuh Chulia, Jalan Central, Jalan Kuantan and Jalan CY Choy as among the present areas where pork was sold openly.

"MPPP should provide them with a separate place and advise the traders not to sell the meat openly as it makes the Muslims uncomfortable.

"I'm also told there are illegal traders. How come there's no action taken?" he told reporters after handing in the complaint letter to the representative of Deputy Chief Minister 1 Datuk Rashid Hasnon, MPPP and Penang Islamic Religious Council here.

Also present was Jelutong Umno Youth vice-chief Mohd Yusmadi Mohd Yusof, who said MPPP should make frequent inspections of the areas where pork was sold openly and take stern action if they disregarded the rule.

"We want the Penang government to take immediate action to prohibit the selling of pork in an open manner. We're not trying to close down their business but it should be done in a suitable way as it involves the sensitivity of the Malays and Muslims here," he said.