Pork Nasi Kandar Vendor Says Stall Shouldn't Confuse Anyone As It's In A Chinese Kopitiam
"I sell this food specifically in a Chinese shop," said the 38-year-old vendor.
The food vendor who was accused of causing "confusion" for selling pork nasi kandar has clarified that he never had the intention of misleading anyone, especially since he operates in a Chinese kopitiam
Speaking to New Straits Times, Suresh G said he has been operating Pumbaa's for the past three weeks at a Chinese kopitiam in Damansara Jaya, Petaling Jaya.
His stall recently went viral after a TikTok video featured and promoted it with a tagline that reads "Malaysia's first pork nasi kandar and nasi lemak babi".
Following that, the Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Entrepreneurs Association (PRESMA) slammed the dish, saying that adding pork to nasi kandar is an "insult".
"I've been in business for three weeks now. Only yesterday, 30 October, did I notice this issue going viral, including some articles about it. I used to have a restaurant but it closed down. That's why I decided to open a stall and rent a space in a Chinese shop," he said when met at his stall.
"Since this is a non-halal store, that's why I sell non-halal dishes, which include pork. I don't mean to inconvenience anyone.
"I'm just trying to make a living. I sell this food specifically in a Chinese shop, not in residential areas. So, my customers are typically non-Muslim," the 38-year-old added.
Image via Sudirman Mohd Tahir/Harian Metro
Suresh said he believes that selling nasi kandar and nasi lemak with pork is not wrong, citing the prevalence of other non-halal eateries offering similar dishes with pork in the Klang Valley
"This menu has been my brand since the beginning of this stall. I haven't thought about stopping. Besides, it's a specialty here because the idea and branding are like that.
"If you follow me on Instagram and Facebook, the words 'non-halal' are clearly stated. Even in every post, 'non-halal' is written in large letters. We make it clear and unambiguous.
"Even the business logo shows the image of the animal. So, there shouldn't be any confusion. I've registered under the 'non-halal' business category," he explained.
While Suresh may claim to be the first to add pork to nasi kandar, he said that pork nasi lemak "isn't new". He said it feels unfair to be criticised.
Image via @pumbaa_s_ (Instagram)
PRESMA claimed that adding pork to nasi kandar would create a negative image on the popular dish:
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