Going ham: Neighbors in West Jakarta quarrel over the smell of pork being cooked

Love thy neighbor, unless they cook the haram meat that is pork, apparently.

A video of residents in Cengkareng Barat, West Jakarta, engaging in an intense debate over pork aroma has recently gone viral. In the video, a Muslim resident, Kuswanto (in orange shirt), is seen confronting his neighbor, Doni (shirtless), for grilling pork at home.

Kuswanto says he is angered that the the smell of the pork, a meat that is haram (forbidden for consumption by Muslims) was spreading everywhere, and pointed out to Doni that most of the residents at their area are Muslims. Doni retorted by saying there are no rules that specifically forbid him from cooking pork in his own home. He also said that other neighbors had never objected whenever he cooked pork before and Kuswanto was the only one who did.

The quarrel escalated quickly, with Kuswanto going so far as to call his neighbor “anjing” (dog).

“Sir, don’t call me anjing, I’m a human. What’s your business in calling me names?” Doni said.

“I’ve been living here for a long time. What you did was polluting [the air]. Now I ask, do you have the permission [to cook pork] from Pak RT (neighborhood chief)? Now, I suggest you better move from here,” Kuswanto replied

West Cengkareng sub-district head, Boy Raya, confirmed that the quarrel did indeed take place. He also said there are no rules banning residents from cooking pork.

“Doni sells pork, and Kuswanto, who lives at the house in front [of Doni’s], was disturbed by the smoke,” Boy said yesterday, as quoted by Kompas.

The conflict was eventually settled following a peaceful resolution between Doni and Kuswanto. However, Doni did have to sign a letter in which he agreed to install a ventilator so that the smoke of his pork barbeque wouldn’t spread to his neighbors. 

Everyone should be able to cook pork or whatever food they like, especially in their own homes. But should you have any objections — be it for religious reasons or dietary restrictions — you should convey your disagreement politely. Otherwise it’s RIP for love thy neighbor.