A commotion erupted today in Dewan Rakyat over the recently launched Menu Rahmah initiative.
This was after Dr Halimah Ali (PN-Kapar) denied that she issued a statement, associating Menu Rahmah offerings as cancer causing.
Mohd Sany Hamzan (PH-Hulu Langat) had interjected Datuk Azman Nasrudin (PN-Padang Serai), who was debating the royal address, by saying Dr Halimah’s statement on the low-cost food could cause cancer and autism, as untrue.
Dr Halimah then replied: “I need to correct this. What Hulu Langat said is not right. I did not say that Menu Rahmah causes cancer.
“Please listen carefully and check the Hansard,” she said.
Mohd Misbahul Munir Masduki (PN-Parit Buntar) then interjected, saying that Sany did not understand Dr Halimah’s statement and should go back to “school”.
Earlier in his speech, Azman said the initiative, launched early this month, did not help the people as a whole.
He also said that it only helped those who were working, with only a few restaurants willing to offer the Menu Rahmah.
“Maybe Mydin or Burger King can afford to join the initiative, but how about small-time food operators that operate by the roadside?
“Also, how about families with four to five children? They will have to fork out between RM60 and 80 daily, for two meals each daily.
“The government should instead focus on controlling the prices of necessities,” he said.
Datuk Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) then interrupted, asking how much the initiative would last and the cost that would be incurred by the government or restaurants that offer Menu Rahmah.
Sany then interjected, saying that the question should be posed to the government, to which Awang Hashim replied: “I am asking Padang Serai, and not Hulu Langat. The floor is not yours.”
Sany then replied; “This Menu Rahmah is an effort by the government to help the people. (Rather than criticising it) we should pray together that this initiative lasts long.” – NST