PUTRAJAYA: Shark’s fin soup is off the menu at all functions and events organised by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and agencies under it.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid made this pledge as a commitment to the drive by the Malaysian Nature Society’s Selangor Branch Marine Group to encourage individuals and organisations to stop serving the delicacy at corporate functions.
“Ultimately, by refraining from the consumption of shark’s fin soup, it is hoped that the ministry can contribute to conservation efforts of the shark species,” according to a statement from the ministry yesterday.
The marine group had embarked on a series of activities and programmes to promote awareness on the plight of sharks and their importance to the marine ecosystem.
Source: The Star, Nation, 15/9/07
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
2 comments:
That's like saying "We promise not to run over any cows while driving in the city."
What is not mentioned is that Malaysian government is dominated by ethnic Malays. And as such serve only Malay fare at official functions. Whereas sharks fin is an ethnic Chinese dish which Malays would never think of ever consuming because they associate any Chinese food with pork — a dish forbidden by their religion.
At this point, even the local Chinese population would be hard pressed to find real sharks fin being served at Chinese restaurants. Part of the thanks goes to the local conservationists who have done a good job of educating the locals about shark finning. Secondly, sharks fin is a terribly expensive delicacy so restaurants have found a dwindling market for it… too small to keep it on the menu. What they serve as “Sharks fin” at restaurants in Malaysia (even during Chinese New Year) is really a mixture of crab meat and birds nest. It’s only called “Sharks fin” to maintain tradition.
Instead of making false promises, the Malaysian government ought to go after the dealers of sharks fins in Malaysia.
In response to Tim's comment: 'government is dominated by ethnic malays... serve only malay fare at official functions'.
Unfortunately reliable sources have told us that govt hosted functions do serve shark's fin soup - (one such occasion was to the Minister of NRE & family who told them to take it back) - Ministry of Tourism events have also been reported to serve shark's fin soup. So something like this does make a difference. Another unfortunate trend is the emergence of shark's fin at malay & indian weddings. Many of us have seen this first hand.
So it's become fashionable for non-chinese to eat shark's fin too for some reason. Food always disregards imaginary cultural boundaries it seems... Good point on the shark dealers though.
Post a Comment