The Malaysian Insight

RELIEVED that the ban on foreign cooks is still just a proposal, restaurant operators want Putrajaya to develop a long-term plan on manpower issues in the food and beverage industry before implementing policies.

Yesterday’s statement by Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran did not go down well with eatery operators who have depended on foreign cooks.

The minister has since clarified that it was only a proposal pending further discussion with stakeholders.

Kana Theva, the owner of restaurant Pampas, claimed 80% of restaurants in Malaysia would shut down if the government went ahead to ban foreign cooks from January 1.

“(The ministry has) to go to the ground and understand what’s happening. It’s not that we don’t want to hire locals,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“Even if I advertise for local cooks, no one will respond. It’s not that we are not giving locals the opportunity.

“The ministry should have a concrete plan, such as more culinary schools to train locals,” he said.

Nur Salhah Amirusin, who owns restaurant Warisan Anggoi, said locals were reluctant to take such jobs, as many did not want to work on weekends.

“Foreign workers are willing to work overtime. We want to give opportunities to our people, but it’s hard to really find those who are committed,” she said.

Likewise, the owner of Miker Food Restaurant in Ipoh, Amzari Zamri, said it was hard finding workers committed to the job.

“We are lucky because all our chefs are Malaysian. But it is still difficult to get good workers these days,” he said.

Hartini Abd Ghani, who owns Tini’s Cafe, said that it was difficult to find locals who wanted to work as cooks.

“All my cooks are foreigners. I’ve been looking for a local cook, but people don’t want to work. If the government implements this policy, I will have to think about closing shop.” – June 23, 2018.