Origin of the Term and Birth of the Formal Movement
The term "vegan" was first coined in 1944 by Donald Watson and a group of activists in Leicester, England, as an abbreviation of "non-dairy vegetarian." They founded
The Vegan Society, the first organization in the world to explicitly distinguish itself from vegetarianism by rejecting all forms of animal exploitation — not only in food but also in clothing, scientific testing, entertainment, and services. It is important to note that the practice of avoiding animal products is not a modern innovation: historical records show that figures such as Pythagoras (6th century BCE), Indian philosopher Mahavira, and the Jain community as well as some Theravāda Buddhist traditions have long practiced similar disciplines based on the principle of
ahimsa (non-violence). However, contemporary veganism differs because it unifies ethical, scientific, and ecological justifications within a single systemic framework.
Ethical Dimension: Animals Not as Resources, But as Subjects of Rights
Ethical veganism is guided by the principle that animals have a fundamental right not to be treated as commodities. This is not merely a matter of compassion but an epistemological and moral question: if a cow can feel pain, fear, and form social bonds — as evidenced by neuroethological studies at the University of Cambridge (2012) and the
Farm Animal Cognition report by the Royal Society (2021) — then the justification for using them as industrial materials becomes challenged. In Malaysia and Indonesia, this reality is evident in the conflict between traditional cattle or poultry farming and the growing demands for animal rights among younger generations. For example, the #StopCageEggs campaign in Singapore in 2023 led two major restaurant chains to stop using eggs from battery cage systems — a step reflecting a shift in social norms, not just a change in taste.
Ecological Footprint: Numbers That Cannot Be Ignored
According to the
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 2022 report, the livestock sector contributes 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions — exceeding the entire transportation sector. One kilogram of beef produces an average of 60 kg CO₂-eq, while one kilogram of soybeans produces only 2.0 kg. In the Nusantara region, land use for livestock farms in Kalimantan and Sumatra is also linked to deforestation and loss of orangutan habitat. Conversely, vegan-based crop farming systems such as shifting organic agriculture in Kelantan or green bean farming in Central Java show potential for soil restoration and increased local food resilience without reliance on animal inputs. This is not about replacing meat with 'fake meat,' but about changing the paradigm: from
extractive agriculture to
regenerative food systems.
Local Realities: Between Culinary Tradition and Contemporary Innovation
In Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, many traditional dishes are naturally vegan — such as
gado-gado,
asinan,
sambal tempe, or
sayur lodeh — due to the cultural roots of plant-based agriculture and limited access to animal products in rural areas. However, modernization has brought a reverse trend: the use of coconut milk (vegan) is often replaced with sweetened condensed milk or animal butter in commercial versions. This phenomenon shows that veganism in Asia is not about imitating Western models but a process of
reclaiming and
recontextualising: restoring the original meaning of local foods while adapting them to modern nutritional literacy. Restaurants like
The Vegan Spoon in Kuala Lumpur and
Green Earth in Bandung prove that vegan culinary innovation can be rooted in local spices, not just imported ingredients like quinoa or seitan.
Reflective Question: Can Veganism Be an Inclusive Movement?
Finally, veganism faces an important test: can it become a movement that is socioeconomically and culturally inclusive? In low-income countries, access to vegan alternatives is often expensive or unavailable — making this choice more of an elite privilege. On the other hand, excessive emphasis on 'perfect' veganism can alienate those who want to change gradually. An anthropological study by Gadjah Mada University (2023) noted that the vegan community in Yogyakarta tends to use a
plant-forward approach — emphasizing adding plants rather than forced elimination — as a more effective strategy for long-term behavioral change. Thus, the question is no longer "Are you vegan?" but "What is the next step you can take to reduce dependence on systems of animal exploitation?"
Veganism, in its most authentic form, is not a dogma but an invitation — an invitation to rethink our relationship with the earth, animals, and fellow humans. It is a mirror reflecting the values we choose to pass on to future generations.
---
Reference: Veganism — Wikipedia
Veganism: More Than a Diet — An Ethical, Environmental, and Cultural Identity Journey. Veganism is not just a dietary choice but a life principle rooted in the rejection of animal commodification. Since its formal introduction in 1944, the movement has grown from a small group in Britain into a global phenomenon with complex ethical, ecological, and social dimensions. This article explores its origins, practical realities in the Nusantara region, the impact of eco-business, and deep questions about the balance between universal values and local contexts.. Origin of the Term and Birth of the Formal Movement
The term "vegan" was first coined in 1944 by Donald Watson and a group of activists in Leicester, England, as an abbreviation of "non-dairy vegetarian." They founded The Vegan Society , the first organization in the world to explicitly distinguish itself from vegetarianism by rejecting all forms of animal exploitation — not only in food but also in clothing, scientific testing, entertainment, and services. It is important to note that the practice of avoiding animal products is not a modern innovation: historical records show that figures such as Pythagoras 6th century BCE , Indian philosopher Mahavira, and the Jain community as well as some Theravāda Buddhist traditions have long practiced similar disciplines based on the principle of ahimsa non-violence . However, contemporary veganism differs because it unifies ethical, scientific, and ecological justifications within a single systemic framework.
Ethical Dimension: Animals Not as Resources, But as Subjects of Rights
Ethical veganism is guided by the principle that animals have a fundamental right not to be treated as commodities. This is not merely a matter of compassion but an epistemological and moral question: if a cow can feel pain, fear, and form social bonds — as evidenced by neuroethological studies at the University of Cambridge 2012 and the Farm Animal Cognition report by the Royal Society 2021 — then the justification for using them as industrial materials becomes challenged. In Malaysia and Indonesia, this reality is evident in the conflict between traditional cattle or poultry farming and the growing demands for animal rights among younger generations. For example, the StopCageEggs campaign in Singapore in 2023 led two major restaurant chains to stop using eggs from battery cage systems — a step reflecting a shift in social norms, not just a change in taste.
Ecological Footprint: Numbers That Cannot Be Ignored
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization FAO 2022 report, the livestock sector contributes 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions — exceeding the entire transportation sector. One kilogram of beef produces an average of 60 kg CO₂-eq, while one kilogram of soybeans produces only 2.0 kg. In the Nusantara region, land use for livestock farms in Kalimantan and Sumatra is also linked to deforestation and loss of orangutan habitat. Conversely, vegan-based crop farming systems such as shifting organic agriculture in Kelantan or green bean farming in Central Java show potential for soil restoration and increased local food resilience without reliance on animal inputs. This is not about replacing meat with 'fake meat,' but about changing the paradigm: from extractive agriculture to regenerative food systems .
Local Realities: Between Culinary Tradition and Contemporary Innovation
In Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, many traditional dishes are naturally vegan — such as gado-gado , asinan , sambal tempe , or sayur lodeh — due to the cultural roots of plant-based agriculture and limited access to animal products in rural areas. However, modernization has brought a reverse trend: the use of coconut milk vegan is often replaced with sweetened condensed milk or animal butter in commercial versions. This phenomenon shows that veganism in Asia is not about imitating Western models but a process of reclaiming and recontextualising : restoring the original meaning of local foods while adapting them to modern nutritional literacy. Restaurants like The Vegan Spoon in Kuala Lumpur and Green Earth in Bandung prove that vegan culinary innovation can be rooted in local spices, not just imported ingredients like quinoa or seitan.
Reflective Question: Can Veganism Be an Inclusive Movement?
Finally, veganism faces an important test: can it become a movement that is socioeconomically and culturally inclusive? In low-income countries, access to vegan alternatives is often expensive or unavailable — making this choice more of an elite privilege. On the other hand, excessive emphasis on 'perfect' veganism can alienate those who want to change gradually. An anthropological study by Gadjah Mada University 2023 noted that the vegan community in Yogyakarta tends to use a plant-forward approach — emphasizing adding plants rather than forced elimination — as a more effective strategy for long-term behavioral change. Thus, the question is no longer "Are you vegan?" but "What is the next step you can take to reduce dependence on systems of animal exploitation?"
Veganism, in its most authentic form, is not a dogma but an invitation — an invitation to rethink our relationship with the earth, animals, and fellow humans. It is a mirror reflecting the values we choose to pass on to future generations.
---
Reference: Veganism — Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veganism
