PARLIAMENT Embroiled in a gastronomic fiasco, Ismail Sabri Yaakob remains adamant that he did not eat turtle eggs that were served at a function in Sabah.

Addressing the Dewan Rakyat, the rural and regional development minister employed an analogy about Hindus, who do not consume beef due to religious reasons.

"At Malay Muslim events, there will be beef served. Hindus will attend these functions, and on the table, there will be beef.

"But don't assume that the Hindus ate the beef, Hindus in Malaysia won't eat beef because it is wrong for their religion.

"So to assume that food on the table is eaten is unacceptable," he said, before wrapping up a debate on his ministry's budget.

Ismail Sabri, however, did not allow for other MPs to interject on the subject.

The minister landed in hot water again after new photos emerged of him at the event, with one image showing what appeared to be a turtle egg shell on his plate.

Previously, Ismail Sabri denied eating turtle eggs citing concerns over high cholesterol.

Conservationists slammed the minister after a photograph of him at the dinner in Sandakan went viral on the internet.

Served during the dinner with Beluran Umno chief James Ratib was a large lobster and what looked like a couple of dozens of turtle eggs.

Harvesting of turtle eggs is allowed under strict and limited licensing on the east coast of the peninsula, but it is illegal in Sabah under the Sabah Wildlife Enactment 1997.

Those guilty of harvesting, selling or consuming turtle eggs in the state can be fined up to RM50,000 or jailed for five years or both.

Earlier today, Ismail Sabri told Malaysiakini that he is mulling legal action against those circulating the new photographs.

Danau Girang Field Centre, a research and training facility in Sabah, uploaded four pictures of the minister eating at the controversial dinner in Sandakan, Sabah in August on its Facebook page last night.

"Looking at the four pictures below downloaded from 'Walai Penyu Resort Libaran' Facebook page and shared by 'Deadturtle Sabah', it seems that the turtle eggs were actually consumed by the same people who said they did not," said the centre.

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