Forum: Safeguard annual Korban from logistical delays
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I refer to the report “Arrival of live sheep for korban at four mosques may be delayed, says MUIS” (May 21).
This potential disruption mirrors a similar logistical crisis in April 1997, when a major shipping logjam delayed the arrival of live sheep from Australia.
Because the livestock failed to arrive in time for Hari Raya Haji, many mosques and Malay/Muslim organisations were forced to abruptly postpone or cancel their rituals.
Korban requires precise timing and delays cause significant distress to the Muslim community.
They also disrupt months of planning and the tireless gotong-royong spirit of dedicated volunteers and Korban event organising committees.
Regulators, operators, importers and logistics partners must learn from past and present bottlenecks, and strengthen contingency plans for this annual on-time sheep delivery.
These should include diversifying livestock sources, establishing priority clearance protocols for live animals during this annual religious ritual and tightening timelines for export permits.
We must build a resilient system to safeguard the community’s religious celebration from logistical failures.
Osman V.P. Mohamed
