Since 2003, 'Uncle Lim' had been operating the sole Chinese food stall in the entire campus. But last May, University Malaya authorities rejected his application to continue running the business.

Despite numerous appeals and even intervention by MCA, the authorities have refused to budge.

um pc food stall 080109 new stall The stall is now being run by a Malay operator, whose attempts of cooking up Chinese dishes, according to disgruntled students, has failed to tantalise their taste buds.

This afternoon, students of the 12th college - where the stall is located - called for a press conference to vent their gastronomical frustrations and described the authorities' action as an act of discrimination.

"We demand a concrete explanation from the university authorities regarding this issue," thundered final year law student Lian Chiew Yi.

Although 'Uncle Lim' was not present, a letter penned by him with the help of a student regarding his predicament was distributed to the press.

In the letter, he said that the contract for the food stalls in the college expired last May and he had participated in the open tender for a new lease with a license held by a Malay individual.

um pc food stall 080109 press conference However, his application was rejected on the grounds that the identity of the license holder and the identity of the bank account holder did not tally.

In addition, 'Uncle Lim' was told that he did not fulfill one of the terms of the tender (Legal Code 080501) which required the operator to be a bumiputera and serve halal food despite receiving an approval from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).

'Uncle Lim', who is currently unemployed, also claimed that he was criticised for having an all-Chinese kitchen staff.

Multiracial composition

Meanwhile, Lian stressed that food was not the main issue in the dispute and called upon university authorities to be more sensitive.

um pc food stall 080109 lian chiew yi "We have no qualms with Malays serving Chinese food or Indians serving Malay food. We agree that food served at a university should be halal and cater to the needs and sensitivities of all races.

"Rather, we are striving for a canteen that reflects the multiracial composition of the university student body," she said.

In view of this, Lian said students want tenders for the operation of food stalls be opened to vendors of all races.

"In addition, we hope that the university authorities will include students in future discussions regarding campus policies," she added.

Also present to lend support was the president of the Muslim Undergraduates Club (PBIUM) Haafizuddin Abirerah.

He said PBIUM was disappointed with the university authorities for not being fair, tolerant and open-minded in its administration

Apart from the students, a friend of 'Uncle Lim' was also present to share his thoughts about the issue.

um pc food stall 080109 mr goh kim peng "He was a man dedicated to the needs of the students. He used to say that the health of his patrons was his greatest priority," said Goh Kim Peng ( left ), who has known 'Uncle Lim' for more than three decades.

"He has provided nutritious food to students at an affordable price for so many years. The closure of his stall will only mean a loss to the university."

At the end of the press conference, batch presidents of 12th college declared: "We need a Chinese vendor, because only a Chinese vendor will understand the culinary needs of the Chinese students."

At this point, one of the batch presidents asked the students, "Are you satisfied with the food served by the new operator?" which garnered a resounding "No!"