Penang takes to the streets for feedback on foreign cooks
Penang will launch a campaign to gather feedback on the proposed ban of foreign cooks at hawker stalls beginning tomorrow.
If the month-long campaign gets enough support, hawkers selling Penang's famous street food will be prohibited from employing foreigners as cooks.
The ban may also be extended to hawkers operating outside council-owned sites which include coffee shops and food courts at shopping malls.
Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) licensing standing committee chairman Ong Ah Teong said the questionnaire is ready.
"The questionnaire is simple and straight-forward, with just yes or no answers to choose from. People can also share their views and comments if they want to," he told The Malaysian Insider, without revealing specifics about the questionnaire.
Ong said once the campaign is launched by state local government exco Chow Kon Yeow, the questionnaire will also be available on MPPP's website.
The proposal, which was announced by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng earlier this month, was aimed at preserving the authenticity and flavour of Penang's street food.
Lim reportedly said the state will only go ahead with the proposed ban if the public is supportive of it. He also said the ban does not affect restaurants.
The proposal had mixed reactions from Penangites, with more supporting the ban, believing that foreign cooks fail to present street food as well as locals.
Some hawkers themselves are also reluctant to allow hired foreigners to handle the cooking, mainly because they want to keep a lid on family recipes and ensure their quality is not compromised.
Many also expressed fear that the sight of a different cook, especially an immigrant, will turn customers away.
But, there had also been some negative reactions, including those from social media with some accusing the state of practicing racism and discrimination.
They defended foreign cooks, saying that if the local street food cooked by them are good, the immigrants should be allowed to earn their living, regardless of their country of origin. – July 24, 2014.
