Recently there has been a huge quarrel between us and our neighbours regarding the rights of the food and where it originated. For example, Malaysia claim chicken rice, laksa and bak kut teh actually originated from there and they should have the rights to the foods. However, this has caused displeasure amongst Singapore hawkers who earn their livings from selling these famous foods.
This uproar is caused by the fact that the Malaysian tourism minister trying to patent the rights to these famous Singaporean dishes. After hearing all the claims like where it came from or who it belongs to, I am disappointed by all the farce it has created. First and foremost, it is obviously the fault of the Malaysian tourism minister who is trying to stir up trouble over here. There is no reason why she should do this. Doing this is a lack of perception on her part. She should maintain the friendly relationships amongst the SEA countries. There is no point stirring up all the storm over here. She should actually focus what is best for Malaysia's tourism industry and not try and steal the rights from the others. Besides what does Malaysia have to gain from this. Not only it poorly reflects the tourism department, it also serves to distance Malaysia from the other countries. In these times of crisis, the more we should unite and not fight over small matters such as food.
I sincerely suggest that Malaysia wake up their idea and focus on themselves and not steal the rights from others. This only goes to show Malaysia's pettiness and nothing else.
Oh well, this is not the first time. Pedra Branca, the Causeway and water have always been the factors why Malaysia cannot get along with us. I hope this storm calms down soon and everyone gets to enjoy their food.
Okay, time for some chicken rice!
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Hey Justin, it's a great blog with interesting issues you brought up.
ReplyDeleteOther than Ipoh Hor Fun (maybe they can try to patent), I don't see also why they can claim Hainanese Chicken Rice (Chinese should claim it as theirs?), Laksa and Bah Kut Teh... lol.
Hope you continue your effort and develop your blog!
Oh well, conflicts (especially between neighbouring countries) can never be prevented totally. Disagreements are bound to occur no matter what.
ReplyDeleteBut I believe our Singapore government will know how to handle such situations, as they always have for every other conflict in history. =)
Eilania
Hi there Justin!
ReplyDeleteI read about the article too!
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/ap/20090917/tap-as-odd-malaysia-food-fight-b3c65ae.html
Quote:
"Chili crab is Malaysian. Hainanese chicken rice is Malaysian. We have to lay claim to our food," Ng (Tourism Minister of Malaysia) said. She mentioned other favorites such as "nasi lemak," which is rice soaked with coconut cream, "laksa," a spicy noodle soup, and "bak kut teh," an ethnic Chinese pork rib stew.
It may really seem ridiculous that they're trying to "lay claims" on the food. After all, Hainanese Chicken Rice in Singapore tastes different from the Hainanese Chicken Rice in Malaysia. Each country has modified the recipe to suit the taste of the locals.
But ultimately, I feel that in doing so, the Tourism Minister is trying to identify the dishes that people tend to associate Malaysia with.
Just like how Shanghai Xiao Long Ba reminds you of China; Green Curry reminds you of Thailand.
Do comment at my blog too! Thanks :D
http://becauseimacommstudent.blogspot.com
Seriously, i don't see a point why there is a need to claim the ownership of such food.
ReplyDeleteSometimes i just find that they just like to make something out of nothing.
Haven't they got much better things to do?
Obviously food like Hainanese Chicken Rice does not come orginate from Malaysia. They do not even have that dialect in Malaysia!
Perhaps they have blurred perception?
HI JUSTIN!
ReplyDeleteOh yes the food fight. I simply cannot understand M’sia’s perception in this issue. Is M’sia not afraid Singaporeans will boycott their F&B induustry because of this? Since Singaporeans do play a large part in M’sia’s tourism economy. And of all dishes they could choose from, they chose Bak Tuh Tek. Seriously. Pork dish for a Muslim country?
Perhaps it is the competition of uniqueness that worries M’sia. Food culture is becoming increasingly popular and M’sia wants to ride on Sg’s success of being a Food hub.
Comment on mine too!
cforceleste.blogspot.com
I think this issue has been solved and the person who created a stirred apologized for her ignorance or something.
ReplyDeleteNevertheless, I think it is ridiculous to put claim over food or even culture in that sense. With globalization, there are fusions of culture all around and who is to determine whose culture is what and so forth. Likewise with food, nowadays many food are fusions in order to suit the newer generation taste buds.
While Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand or which ever country that wishes to join in the fun, cannot put a claim to totally own a certain food, I believe that within this region, we can claim them as perhaps Southeast Asian’s food. (Since it is only limited to our region) This way our food will have an identity to it, but there will not be a fight between the countries regarding ownership.
I still don't get the whole issue of licencing our food. Food is for everyone to enjoy. What's the point of licencing the dishes? To tax us whenever we consume it next time?
ReplyDeleteOur dishes have inculded different cultures in them so that they would have the taste of Asia. The more you try to define the dish's origins, the more complicated it gets. How about trying to define the origins of rice next time? Or even better, let us just savor our food and divert our focus to something that concerns more to the welfare of our country.
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ReplyDeleteI think we should all share. The world would be a better place then. Seriously.
ReplyDelete