KUALA SELANGOR, April 21 — The Health Ministry's enforcement team should be more tactical in curbing the activities of foreign vendors selling food with questionable hygiene, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He said MOH enforcement officers must identify the modus operandi of these foreign traders so more effective actions can be taken when necessary.
The issue of foreign street food vendors plying their trade in popular spots in the city, which has gained attention recently, can serve as a lesson on the importance of taking more effective actions before conducting on-site inspections.
"We went there to take action, but MOH officers found that they were no longer at the location," he told the press after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri Open House for the Kuala Selangor Parliamentary constituency today.
Dr Dzulkefly was responding to queries about the ministry's actions regarding a viral video showing the activities of foreign street food vendors, which has raised concerns among Internet users.
He added the ministry has also identified the traders' modus operandi and will tighten monitoring to stop the activities.
A 23-second video on the foreign street food vendors' activities, believed to be operating near Masjid Al-Bukhary along Jalan Hang Tuah in Kuala Lumpur, went viral on social media recently, sparking online reactions, with many dissatisfied with the perceived oversight of the enforcement system of the authorities.
In another development, Dr Dzulkefly said MOH will cooperate with the Education Ministry to review the standard operating procedure (SOP) for outdoor activities in schools to prevent any untoward incidents.
He said that the incident involving the death of a 14-year-old male student in Negeri Sembilan during a cross-country activity hosted by his school on Friday (April 19) necessitates comprehensive SOP to serve as a guideline for all parties in the future.
— Bernama
