KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 16 — PAS lawmaker Dr Halimah Ali said that her remarks on the government’s Menu Rahmah programme causing “cancer, autoimmune diseases and autism, among other things” had been misunderstood.
Speaking to reporters, the Kapar MP said that the message she had wanted to convey was that the poor quality of raw materials used by restaurants for Menu Rahmah could lead to the meal’s quality being compromised.
“We are saying to the government, if you are desperate, do not forsake nutrition. How do you provide good quality food at a low price?” she said in Parliament.
She also expressed her concern that Menu Rahmah could be exploited by those who can afford to buy meals at regular prices.
“Logically speaking, how are restaurants going to check if a diner is really poor? The government must find a way to keep tabs on this.
“The bigger issue is you are feeding the hungry, but also please make sure that the food provided is nutritious and not detrimental to one’s health,” she added.
Yesterday, Dr Halimah received flak from the public over comments made during a Parliamentary debate, in which she reportedly said that eating Menu Rahmah dishes could cause various diseases and health conditions due to the use of low-quality ingredients.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the finance minister, had vowed to address cost-of-living issues, pledging that it would be his top priority.
This came amid shaky public confidence in his Cabinet line-up after he appointed several leaders from past administrations accused of poor management of the economy.
Menu Rahmah was launched on January 31 by Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub as part of the Unity Government’s short-term efforts to mitigate the inflation squeeze on low-income earners.
Around 12,000 premises are currently offering Menu Rahmah, including restaurants affiliated with the Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association, the Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association, Malaysia Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors General Association and Mydin supermarket outlets nationwide.
