Abidin (second left), Yee (fourth left), Goh (fifth left), Lim (fourth right) and others a giant 1Malaysia mooncake.
KOTA KINABALU: Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) president Datuk T.C. Goh has urged restaurant operators to practise high professionalism and ethics in running their businesses, particularly in serving quality and hygienic food to customers.
Goh said restaurant operators should not compromise quality and hygiene of food in order to earn higher profit.
“This will not only affect customers, but will also lead to serious implications for the food and beverage industry in Sabah.
“One bad apple spoils the barrel. The image of the whole industry will be tainted with a few bad apples.”
Negative public perception towards the food industry would also affect the tourism industry in Sabah, which in turn would cause people to cut down their spending in the food and beverage industry, Goh said when officiating at the Sabah Restaurant Fellowship Association 17th Anniversary, installation ceremony of its committee cum Moon Cake festival celebrations at Dewan Hakka here, on Wednesday.
He said restaurant operators played a significant role in the state’s economy in terms of promoting food culture and being the impetus for the development of tourism-related industries.
“I believe restaurant operators, under the Sabah Restaurant Fellowship Association, will achieve the standard in quality, quantity, taste and colour in their offerings, as well as bring innovation to the food and beverage industry that will certainly delight customers.”
Meanwhile, Sabah Restaurant Fellowship Association president Kapitan Lim Vun Chan expressed his excitement at the upcoming visit of China President Xi Jinping to Malaysia next month.
He hopes our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will encourage more Chinese investors to Malaysia, especially to Sabah.
Lim said Sabah was suitable for various investments as our state is rich in natural resources, possesses strategic geographical location, with close proximity to China. Furthermore, he said daily direct flights between Sabah and China also made transportation accessible and convenient.
“Our state government also provides many incentives and assistance to investors, whom will not face language barriers here.”
Lim, however, urged the government to reduce red tape in efforts to provide a conductive investment climate for Chinese investors.
Also present at the event were Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah, former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee, former Deputy Chief Minister cum honorary chairman of the association Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai, Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir, prominent local developer Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen and Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) president Michael Lui.