The chairman of Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, recently visited the MARA Junior Science College (MRSM) in Taiping, Perak, and he was not happy with the cleanliness of the place.
After several food poisoning cases were reported, he contacted the canteen operator on the spot and questioned her about the cleanliness and the food served.
According to Dr Asyraf, who shared the conversation via his TikTok post-@drasyrafwajdi, 31 students of MRSM Taiping were rushed to the hospital after getting food poisoning from eating the food at the canteen.
When asked further about the cleanliness, the canteen operator told Dr Asyraf that the place lacks manpower.
“I was supposed to have 19 staff but at the moment, I only have 14,” she told Dr Asyraf on the phone.
Dr Asyraf also pointed out that he found lots of lizards waste around the kitchen, and the canteen operator said she couldn’t do anything to stop the reptile from defecating there.
“I can’t stop the lizards from defecating in the kitchen.”
“This is not on the menu”
At the scene, Dr Asyraf also highlighted the food that was not served according to the menu’s instructions.
The students were supposed to have mackerels but the prepped fish were not mackerels.
“I think you should go to the market and observe the market prices of the food,” the canteen operator told Dr. Asyraf.
Dr Asyraf then said,
“Wow, you’re really heartless. Don’t you care about the students’ well being and safety?”
The argument continued, and the canteen operator did not apologise for the poor condition of the kitchen.
“With or without cable, you’re gone”
In another TikTok post, Dr Asyraf said that he had terminated the canteen operator’s contract and would not hesitate to do so to any operators who breached the rules and regulations.
“I don’t care how big are your ‘cables’, if it involves the safety of my students, I’m going to take action.”
You can watch and listen to the conversation with the canteen operator in the clip below.
@drasyrafwajdi Terjah ke Dewan Selera MRSM Taiping, Perak setelah menerima aduan mengenai kes keracunan makanan. #fyp #MerakyatkanMARA #MARAGemilang
♬ original sound – Dr. Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki – Dr. Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki
We hope serious actions will be taken against food operators who don’t comply with the hygiene code, regardless of where the premises are.