MCA fries Nazri for siding with Lim on cooks

MCA youth secretary general Leong Kim Soon today criticised Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz for "agreeing" with Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng on the latter's proposal to ban foreigners from cooking at hawker stalls.

"As there is still much controversy from this issue arising from the pros and cons on labour issues from this proposal, one cannot help but wonder if the support by Nazri is meant to win himself personal publicity," Leong said in a statement today.

"Does Nazri (left) really comprehend if Guan Eng’s proposal will really bring the impact on Penang as a foodie’s paradise?" he asked.

Leong argued that "often" foreign workers only serve the meal after the ingredients are served and mixed.

"There is no so-called secret touch when it involves prepared ingredients and serving," he said.

Leong also said that the online survey taken by the Penang state government was "littered with errors".

"I hope that Nazri can understand that as a Tourism Minister, his remarks to a large extent, represents the federal government’s position," he said.

"In the absence of a clear understanding on the issues related with the proposed ban against foreign cooks at hawker stalls as opposed to addressing labour shortage issues, Nazri’s full support does not aid in resolving the issue, but rather, it adds to his personal publicity," Leong added.

Yesterday, Nazri fully backed Lim over Penang's proposal to ban foreigners from working as cooks at hawker stalls, in a move to preserve the authenticity of Penang's famous street food.

The minister commented yesterday after launching the Georgetown Festival (GTF) 2014 in Penang, according to The Star.

 

Nazri was reported saying Penang's best, most famous street food cannot depend on branding alone to attract touritsts, and needs to be prepared by the locals to maintain authenticity.

“We can’t have Penang hawker food cooked by foreigners who would not understand the taste," he was reported saying.

The DAP-led Penang government's move has curiously drawn fierce indignation from the party's arch enemies Gerakan and MCA.