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Ban on foreign cooks after feedback, says Guan Eng after Chef Wan’s criticism

Unlike Penang, KL is okay with foreigners cooking street food

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state will still consider banning foreigners from working as cooks at hawker stalls, despite the idea being slammed by celebrity chef Datuk Redzuawan Ismail, or Chef Wan.

Lim, saying he respects the view of the world-famous chef, said the state was open to criticisms over the plan.

"We respect what Chef Wan... said. He has every right to give his opinion.

"We respect him even if he does not agree with us," he said today after launching the new elevated walkway at Penang Hill.

On Saturday, Lim announced that the state might ban foreigners from working as cooks at hawker stalls, a move he said was to preserve Penang's famed street food.

Lim had said that the state government wanted to maintain the Penang "branding", and lamented that some local street food no longer tasted the same as a result of being prepared by foreigners.

"People have come here principally for food, so we want to maintain this brand.

"We are still gathering public feedback and if the public says no (to the proposal), then it is no," he said.

Chef Wan had told The Star that the proposal to ban foreigners from working as cooks was ridiculous.

He said the ruling would open Malaysia to international ridicule.

He added that immigrant workers should not be blamed and that stall owners should take the initiative to train their cooks.

“The owners should be the ones teaching them to cook the right way and using the right recipes.

“Wouldn’t it be better to train them properly and supervise them to do a better job?” he asked.

He said the foreigners could act as Malaysian cuisine ambassadors when they return to their countries or work elsewhere.

He also said he was proud to see other nationalities cooking Malaysian food. – July 15, 2014.