Despite the ban on non-halal food in the Fabulous Food 1Malaysia (FF1M) 2014 festival, the Tourism and Culture Ministry will continue to promote a variety of food.

This will include halal and non-halal food to tourists, based on the target market and preferences, ministry secretary-general Ong Hong Peng said today.

On the suggestion to call the food fest “Halal Food Festival” instead of “Fabulous Food 1Malaysia”, Ong said the ministry will stick to its original name.

“The title FF1M should be maintained as the food of the various ethnic groups will be showcased,” Ong told Malaysiakini via email.

The ministry announced on Wednesday that it will no longer serve non-halal food, following a reprimand in the latest Auditor-General’s Report.

"There is no such issue in 2014, as we have already ensured that all food served is halal," Ong told a press conference on Wednesday.

This has raised the ire of tourism players , who said that the choice of food would be limited due to only halal food being allowed.

The issue was raised after the Auditor-General's Report ticked off the ministry for serving the pork dish 'bak kut teh' at the Fabulous Food 1Malaysia (FF1M) at Jalan Alor in Kuala Lumpur and in Taman Johor Jaya, Johor, last year.

Continue to promote food of all races

Ong clarified that non-halal food was not served during the official launching of FF1M events in 2014.

However, under the tourism marketing and promotion efforts, he said, the ministry will continue to showcase popular food of major ethnic groups in Malaysia.

“Hence, we shall continue to promote the vast variety of food (halal and non-halal) available to tourists based on target market and preferences.

“The ministry will also continue to promote popular street foods of major ethnic groups in Malaysia such as those in Petaling Street or Chinatown, Jalan Alor, Kg Baru and Brickfields,” Ong said.

He reiterated that the ministry would give importance to national unity and be mindful of the sensitivities in the context of Malaysia's multiracial and multicultural society.

No ban on promotions in China, Taiwan

He also said the ministry will continue to promote Malaysian food in campaigns in other countries such as China and Taiwan.

“In promoting Malaysia as a tourist destination, 'Malaysia, Truly Asia' represents our tourism brand.

“As such, Malaysian food is a tourism product that will continue to be promoted in China and Taiwan,” said Ong.

The official website of Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board's Taipei office carried an article on Malaysia's famous Chinese, bak kut teh, with the title 'Malaysia's local food - must eat bak kut teh'.

The Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board also promotes bak kut teh to Chinese tourists through the official WeiBo, a famous social media in China.

The Tourism Ministry also publicises “Malaysia Truly Asia” through YouTube videos titled “Reality Series - Jalan Alor, Kuala Lumpur New” which also feature bak kut teh and Chinese pork jerky (bak kwa).

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