CAN our local delicacies such as kuih tahi itik and kuih lompat tikam be as popular as croissants, asks a government backbencher, who claimed that not much has been done to present Malaysian delicacies to the world.
Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik (PH-Balik Pulau) said there was not much promotion done on local kuih and delicacies, especially at the popular local tourist spot in Bukit Bintang in the city centre.
“The area is mostly flooded with Middle East cuisine and not our own delicacies, which should be better promoted.
“We want our local delicacies to be at par with croissants. What is the minister’s comment on this,” he said in his supplementary question during Question Time.
A croissant is a French pastry that is typically crescent-shaped, made with yeast-risen dough.
Kuih tahi itik and kuih lompat tikam are sweet delicacies popular in Kelantan and Terengganu.
In response, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing denied there was lack of promotion on local traditional delicacies.
“Various initiatives have been taken by the ministry to promote our delicacies so they will be popular and enjoyed especially by our younger generation.
“In fact, the ministry, through the National Heritage Department, has published several books on traditional delicacies,” he said.
Whether there are plans to make a particular dish as Malaysia’s iconic food, Tiong pointed out that the country has so much to offer including nasi lemak, nasi kerabu and nasi dagang.
“The ministry is constantly looking for ways to boost tourism promotions.
“This includes plans to create an application to promote our local food,” he said.
