GERIK, PERAK– 60 students from Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) Gerik in Gerik had to seek medical treatment for suspected food poisoning after consuming ayam masak merah (chicken cooked in a spicy tomato-based sauce) at the school canteen, which was reportedly emitting a foul smell since last Monday.
According to Berita Harian, the affected students experienced symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and headaches before receiving outpatient treatment from a mobile medical team, without being referred to a hospital.
Perak State Executive Councillor for Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs, and Integration, A. Sivanesan, stated that the food poisoning incident was notified to the Hulu Perak District Health Office by the duty warden at around 11:30 a.m. last Monday, before the related notification was received by the Perak State Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) at 11:38 a.m. yesterday.
He further revealed that the investigation found that the chicken dish consumed during breaking of fast on the last Sunday was suspected to be the cause of the food poisoning incident.
Sivanesan added that the initial verification and investigation conducted by the Hulu Perak District Health Office found that a total of 60 students from Form 1 to Form 5 were showing symptoms.
Students said the ayam masak merah had foul smell
Interviews with the students revealed that the chicken dish had a foul smell when consumed, indicating that the raw chicken might have been spoiled before cooking as the smell was unpleasant.
“I have previously issued a warning to another MRSM in this state regarding a food poisoning issue when I was serving as a state executive councillor in 2018, that if the mistake is repeated, the contractor’s contract will be terminated immediately.”
“It is not within my authority to cancel the contract, but as an executive councillor, I will request the Department of Education to take immediate action to bring those responsible to court. Three days of closure is not enough. So I will visit MRSM Gerik in the next two to three days and then present it at the executive council meeting and ask for appropriate action,” he said.
He also mentioned that 10 clinical samples were taken from the canteen kitchen of the affected hostel for analysis, and a directive was issued to close the canteen for three days for cleaning purposes, in accordance with the Food Act 1983.
Sivanesan emphasized that his department will not compromise on food poisoning issues involving contractors who repeatedly make mistakes.
