KUALA LUMPUR: The government’s decision requiring eateries to hire only local cooks has sparked concern among food loving Malaysians.
Those interviewed said locals may not be able to live up to the standards of foreign chefs, especially those specialising in certain kind of dishes.
A local entrepreneur, Ainul Nazreen, said instead of a blanket ban on foreign cooks, the authorities should increase spot checks if cleanliness was the main point of concern.
The 23-year-old from Muar said Malaysians loved their food and any drastic move to ban foreign chefs could lead to sub-standard dishes being served.
“I cannot imagine how locals are going to accept if the high standard of food we have been enjoying all this while is compromised once foreigners are banned from working in our eateries.
“Although the decision may open job opportunities for Malaysians, the authenticity of the food may be ruined,” she said, adding it was reported that a similar decision by the Penang government had led to the closure of many eateries on the island.
Meanwhile, lawyer Jegathiswary Manomani, 26, said she too could not see the rationality of banning foreigners from working as cooks.
She said issues concerning cleanliness could be overcome with proper training and also greater enforcement.
Danial Ashraf, 22, a student from Kulim said Malaysians were too picky when it comes to jobs and expressed fear it could lead to a shortage of chefs.
However, he said the move to push for local cooks could also lead to more Malaysians learning the art of making certain dishes which were now the speciality of foreigners.
Sivagammi Nyanasagaran, 23, said the directive by the Human Resource Ministry was good as it would lead to more locals getting an opportunity to work in restaurants.
“We need to be independent from relying too much on foreigners.
“Restaurant owners should go to India or other countries to learn their cooking style and maybe bring a qualified chef to teach their local employees,” she said.
It was reported that the Human Resources Ministry wants all restaurants in the country to only recruit locals as cooks from July 1.
Minister M Kulasegaran said operators would be given up to the end of the year to ensure only local cooks work in their restaurants.
He said the regulation only permit locals as cooks in all restaurants effective January 1 2019.