Hannah Yeoh, journalists covering Selangor state assembly down with food poisoning

SHAH ALAM: Several media personnel covering the Selangor state assembly here are down with severe food poisoning after it is believed that the "asam laksa" served during a tea-break caused the problem. 

At least 15 reporters and cameramen at the lobby here consumed the food, served between 4.30pm and 5pm on Thursday.

As of noon Friday, at least 11 reporters complained of severe diarrhoea and were attended by a doctor provided by the Selangor government.

Also affected were Speaker Hannah Yeoh, Deputy Speaker Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, two staff from the Speaker's office and three state government staff.

However, none of the assemblymen complained of having stomach discomfort.

Star Metro reporter Priya Menon, 28, said she started feeling queasy since Thursday evening after having the "asam laksa". 

"I only had a drink for dinner and started having diarrhoea since 9pm until 6am," she said, adding that she felt better after waking up in the morning. 

Another reporter from a local daily, who also suffered a similar predicament, woke up to a severe stomach pain at about 7am on Friday. 

"I did not know what caused my stomach ache until other reporters told me that they also faced similar situation after consuming the asam laksa for tea," she said. 

Reporters, who had the lunch and not the tea-break, did not suffer diarrhoea. 

Speaker Hannah Yeoh, who held a press conference later, apologised to the reporters over the incident. 

"We appointed the caterer from an open tender and the state government will surely take action against the caterer," she said.