(Klang 14 Mac) A total of 3,000 sets of bak kut teh were sold out in one hour in a dinner organised by Klang MCA and Kapar MCA in support of the herbal dish being listed as the national heritage food.
Members of public received a voucher for donating to support Bak Kut Teh.

In return, they get to savour a set of the herbal dish, either pork or chicken boiled in herbal soup prepared by 11 restaurants selling Bak Kut Teh in Klang, the birth place of the dish.

MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said the controversy centred on gazetting the traditional dish as a national heritage food  which sparked war of words among politicians should end.

“The traditional dish is popular among tourists and good for tourism business. It should be supported by Malaysians,’’ said Dr Mah.
Dr Mah also said the controversy centred on Bak Kut Teh should end here and Malaysians of various ethnic groups should respect the food culture of each other.

The opposition criticised the inclusion of the Bak Kut Teh into the list claiming that it did not truly represent Malaysia.

Bak Kut Teh is a pork rib soup which has also been modified to have halal version where chicken, beef, or seafood are used to replace pork rib.

Kapar MCA chairman Datuk Song Kee Chai and Klang MCA chairman Datuk Steven Lim thanked the overwhelming support by members of public and the Bak Kut Teh operators to defend Bak Kut Teh in action.

In a statement, they announced that after deducting the expenses of organising the Bak Kut Teh dinner, the balance of the donation would be donated to 13 Chinese primary schools in Klang.

The sum of RM13,000 would be presented to the schools in a restaurant in Pandamaran at 7pm on 20 March.

Song said MCA would continue to play its role to voice up issues which are unfair to people.