SIBU: Minister of Local Government and Community Development Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh told the Pan Malaysia Koo Soo Restaurants and Chefs Association to add greater depth to its local food products.
He said local food has the potential to become a tourism product for it represents the uniqueness of Malaysia.
According to him, the convenience of air travel has brought advantages and disadvantages to the country’s tourism sector.
“Nowadays, the air transportation is becoming more and more convenient, which attracts many tourists to the country.
“But, we cannot deny that because of this convenience many would go somewhere else also; people would come and go, you cannot expect people to come here all the time,” he pointed out.
His speech was read out by Rejang Port Authority chairman Vincent Goh during the 5th anniversary of the Sibu Chefs Association Dinner cum the 36th Second Annual General Meeting of Pan Malaysia Koo Soo Restaurants and Chefs Association on Thursday at Kingwood Hotel.
Wong, who is also Second Finance Minister, said local products needed to be strengthened and enhanced to attract tourists.
Thus, he believed local food could be one of the products.
He said the varieties in Malaysian food could represent an array of international cuisines.
“People come to Malaysia not just to see the multiracial people, but the food also shows our uniqueness, as when they taste our food, it is like tasting different food from different countries,” he pointed out, adding that hygiene in the food industry should never be compromised.
Also present at the event were CCK Group chairman Datuk Tiong Su Kouk, Pan Malaysia Koo Soo Restaurants and Chefs Association president Kapitan Lim Vum Chan, Sibu Chefs Association chairman Wong Sie Yong and organising chairperson Cr Wong Gin Gin.