Allegations of food safety concerns emerge at MARA Junior Science College in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

MALAYSIA: Students at a MARA Junior Science College situated in Kuala Klawang, Negeri Sembilan, allegedly fell victim to food poisoning incidents due to the alleged provision of rotten or spoiled hard-boiled eggs.

On Tuesday (31 Oct), a concerned netizen turned to Instagram, alleging the distribution of tainted food to students in a Negri Sembilan college, resulting in a widespread outbreak of food poisoning.

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As per the original post, now removed from Facebook, by Amira Alia Faizul, she made assertions regarding the provision of spoiled hard-boiled eggs to students at a MARA Junior Science College (MRSM) located in Kuala Klawang, Negeri Sembilan.

The accompanying photographs captured the severity of the situation, showcasing the eggs tainted with menacing black veins, rendering them unfit for consumption.

Moreover, in a photo equally shocking in its revelation, a piece of meat appeared to host an infestation of repulsive maggots.

Amira made it clear that this wasn’t an isolated incident; subpar or rotten food had been provided to students, despite assurances from the canteen operator that such situations would not recur.

She highlighted the grave consequences, stating that this unfortunate situation had inflicted food poisoning upon many students, particularly those in Form 4 and Form 5, who were about to face critical examinations.

Such occurrences not only took a toll on their well-being but also obstructed their capacity to study effectively.

In her plea for justice, Amira advocated for the termination of the canteen operator’s license, tagging Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA, or People’s Trust Council) chairman, Dr. Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, in her post.

Chairman of MARA initiates investigation

Promptly responding to the viral outcry, Dr. Asyraf conveyed an official statement on his Facebook account on Tuesday (31 Oct)

Despite his overseas location, he promptly instigated an investigation by the deputy director of MARA, vowing to take stern actions, including contract termination, in the event of negligence.

These measures were consistent with established rules and agreements.

Dr. Asyraf underscored that MARA would not tolerate any canteen operators who failed to prioritize food safety.

He anticipated the delivery of the comprehensive report from MARA management by the latest, on Wednesday, the 1st of November.

In the wake of this revelation, netizens expressed their profound dismay and rallied behind the call to terminate the canteen operator’s contract if the allegations were validated.

A discerning netizen recommended that Dr. Asyraf also scrutinize the company poised to replace the current one, cautioning that various companies with different names might ultimately belong to the same individual.

The conversation extended to concerns about food portions received by the students, suggesting a deliberate reduction in serving sizes.

Furthermore, a proposal emerged, advocating for the involvement of nutritionists or dietitians to assess food quality at the school.

Dr. Asyraf reassured the public that nutritionists were already overseeing food quality and disclosed his periodic monitoring efforts. Nonetheless, he reiterated the need for the full report to identify the specifics of the present issues.