Indonesia’s halal tourism bid faces pig pushback


Time to hog: Indonesian children taking part in a colouring contest during the Pig and Pork Lake Toba Festival in Muara near Lake Toba. — AFP

Muara: Indonesia’s bid to lure more visitors by spreading halal tourism across the archipelago is facing a backlash, with a Christian celebration of pigs – forbidden for Muslims – the latest act of dissent.

The weekend festival-cum-protest in Sumatra, featuring pig racing, chubbiest hog contests and a porcine fashion show, comes as holiday hotspot Bali pushes back against rolling out more Muslim-friendly services on the Hindu island.Critics say a government plan to cash in on halal tourism – part of a broader campaign to replicate Bali’s success nationwide – is another threat to minority rights in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation.

Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month
RM5/month

Billed as RM5/month for the 1st 6 months then RM13.90 thereafters.

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

halal , pigs ,

   

Next In Regional

Mt Ruang: Last eruptions before Wednesday occurred in 2002, 1949
Thailand drops joint patrols with Chinese police after public backlash
Cops on the hunt for cable thieves in Ayer Hitam
Najib wanted to answer questions on money laundering in court, says investigating officer
Hearing for Siti Bainun's appeal against conviction postponed to Jan 30 next year
Biker ambushed by a tiger near Gua Musang, lives to tell his tale
Historic day for human rights in Malaysia, says Azalina
Many workers in boycott-hit companies are locals, says Rayer
Two nabbed for launching fireworks at police in Lembah Subang
Federal Court commutes death, natural life jail sentences of 11 convicted for drug trafficking

Others Also Read