STATE representatives have called for more aggressive enforcement against local hawkers who hire foreign workers to be cooks in hawker stalls.
Recollecting the ban, which was enforced back in 2014, Chee Yeeh Keen (PH-Bagan Jermal) said Penang is known as a street food haven to many people.
“The ban was instituted to safeguard the distinctiveness and quality of Penang’s street food. Have our enforcement efforts been sufficiently rigorous?”
“Visitors come to Penang to enjoy the state’s local delicacy and food that is prepared by the locals,” he said while debating the motion of thanks to the address by Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak at the State Legislative Assembly today.
Gooi Hsiao-Leung (PH-Bukit Tengah) interjected, questioning whether hawker licenses should be revoked if licence holders are found to have hired foreign workers as cooks.
“Would you agree that many people visit Penang to enjoy local delicacies, such as char koay teow, because they want to experience dishes cooked by Penangites, not foreign workers?
“Similarly, when we eat nasi campur, we expect it to be prepared by locals, not foreigners.
“This reliance on foreign workers could harm our reputation as a renowned food destination,” Gooi said.
The subject also prompted Heng to interject.
“I recall that the Machang Bubuk assemblyman once proposed submitting Penang’s street hawker culture for inclusion on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
“I am not aware of the current status. However, does Bagan Jermal agree to the establishment of a committee to continue this effort?” Heng questioned.
Chee agreed with Gooi and Heng.
“I agree and support the idea of setting up a committee to pursue the matter,” Chee said.
Story by Christopher Tan