Since 2003, 'Uncle Lim' had been operating the sole Chinese food stall in the entire campus. But last May, University Malaya authorities rejected his application to continue running the business. Despite numerous appeals and even intervention by MCA, the authorities have refused to budge. This afternoon, students of the 12th college - where the stall is located - called for a press conference to vent their gastronomical frustrations and described the authorities' action as an act of discrimination. "We demand a concrete explanation from the university authorities regarding this issue," thundered final year law student Lian Chiew Yi. Although 'Uncle Lim' was not present, a letter penned by him with the help of a student regarding his predicament was distributed to the press. In the letter, he said that the contract for the food stalls in the college expired last May and he had participated in the open tender for a new lease with a license held by a Malay individual. However, his application was rejected on the grounds that the identity of the license holder and the identity of the bank account holder did not tally. In addition, 'Uncle Lim' was told that he did not fulfill one of the terms of the tender (Legal Code 080501) which required the operator to be a bumiputera and serve halal food despite receiving an approval from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).
Meanwhile, Lian stressed that food was not the main issue in the dispute and called upon university authorities to be more sensitive. "We have no qualms with Malays serving Chinese food or Indians serving Malay food. We agree that food served at a university should be halal and cater to the needs and sensitivities of all races. "Rather, we are striving for a canteen that reflects the multiracial composition of the university student body," she said. (Source: Mkini)
Firstly, I believe UM is a place for Malaysians of all races. Since food served should be halal, I assume there is a ban on pork. I think non-Muslim Chinese are pretty tolerant. Fine if no pork to eat but to further impose the requirement for the operator to be a bumiputera and serve halal food?
Talk about pork, MP Jeff Ooi had a culture shock in ABU DHABI. Hotels there are serving PORK. Click here to read his post.
Meanwhile, Lian stressed that food was not the main issue in the dispute and called upon university authorities to be more sensitive. "We have no qualms with Malays serving Chinese food or Indians serving Malay food. We agree that food served at a university should be halal and cater to the needs and sensitivities of all races. "Rather, we are striving for a canteen that reflects the multiracial composition of the university student body," she said. (Source: Mkini)
Firstly, I believe UM is a place for Malaysians of all races. Since food served should be halal, I assume there is a ban on pork. I think non-Muslim Chinese are pretty tolerant. Fine if no pork to eat but to further impose the requirement for the operator to be a bumiputera and serve halal food?
Talk about pork, MP Jeff Ooi had a culture shock in ABU DHABI. Hotels there are serving PORK. Click here to read his post.
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