IT is strange that even after 60 years, Independent Sabah (Malaysia) still maintain colonial policies and Laws. The Veterinary Department of Sabah, whose officers mostly graduated from Bogor University in Indonesia, maintain the policy which only allows the importation of live cattle or livestock from Australia or New Zealand.
Reason given is that both countries are islands and the cattle and also perhaps managed by white man.
The Department made it quite clear that it will not allow importation of live cattle or goats from other countries, such as China, Indo China, Indonesia or South Africa.
This monopolistic policy maintained by the Veterinary Department allows Australia and New Zealand to command prices that are at least 40pc higher than those from disallowed countries.
And yet the disallowed countries offer much better looking and healthier livestock than those from Australia or New Zealand