A TOTAL 3,000 sets of bak kut teh were snapped up within an hour at a dinner organised by the Klang and Kapar MCA divisions in support of the dish being listed as a national heritage food.
Reports in Sin Chew Daily said the herbal dish was served either using chicken or pork and was prepared by 11 restaurants in Klang, the birthplace of bak kut teh.
MCA deputy president, Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said the recent controversy over the dish which sparked a war of words among politicians should be put to rest once and for all.
"The traditional dish is popular among tourists and it is also good for tourism. It should be supported by Malaysians," he said.
Umno youth chief, Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh had earlier called on the prime minister to sack Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing for letting bak kut teh become a national heritage dish.
In a Facebook posting, Akmal said the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister could have instead recognised Chinese fried rice and other foods that can be eaten by everyone in this country regardless of race or religion.
"If the minister cannot be sensitive to Malaysians, then what is the relevance of this decision?
"It is time for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to sack him," he said.
Other foods listed include mee kolok and nasi ambeng, besides traditional desserts like burasak, dodol kukus tahi minyak, kuih lapis, kuih karas and uthappam.
Others included an appetiser called jeruk tuhau and the air katira drink.
"We are a multicultural country and Malaysians of various ethnic groups should respect the food culture of each other," said Dr Mah.
Bak kut teh is a pork rib soup which has also been modified to have a halal version where chicken, beef or even seafood are used to replace pork ribs.
Kapar MCA chairman Datuk Song Kee Chai and Klang MCA chairman Datuk Steven Lim said they were overwhelmed by the support from the public.
They said the extra money after deducting the expenses incurred in organising the dinner would be donated to 13 primary schools in Klang.
"We will donate RM13,000 to the schools at a small ceremony tomorrow," they said. - The Vibes, March 19, 2024
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