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MIRI – The Sarawak government’s import ban on bak kwa (Chinese dried meat) from the peninsula still stands, said Veterinary Services Department (DVS) Sarawak director Adrian Susin Ambud.
When contacted today, he said the ban is necessary to curb the spread of African swine fever (ASF).
“Yes, (the ban is) because of ASF. There is a current outbreak in Penang.”
He said those found importing the delicacy into Sarawak may face a maximum compound of RM25,000.
He added that the ban would stand until the peninsula is ASF-free.
Recently, a traveller travelling from the peninsula to Miri claimed that the bak kwa that he brought in for the coming Chinese New Year was seized by a DVS officer upon arrival at Miri Airport.
The traveller also claimed that he had been fined RM5,000.
Sarawak began imposing a ban on bak kwa and other pork products as well as live pigs from the peninsula in 2020. – Borneo Post Online, January 11, 2023