Out with nasi lemak, in with kuih

Lavish spreads at in-house meetings for education ministry officials will be a thing of the past in an effort to reduce wastage and spending.

SEREMBAN: The next time education ministry officials attend a meeting, they will have to make do with nibbling at two variety of kuih and having one choice of beverage instead of the lavish spreads they have been used to in the past.

This new ruling was made in efforts to lessen wastage and excessive spending, The Star Online reported.

Ministry secretary-general Madinah Mohamad explained, “From our observation, plenty of food is wasted whenever such meetings are held.

“During the morning meetings, each individual is served a heavy meal such as a plate of nasi lemak and another plate of fruits with beverages whereas in the evenings (during meetings), it is usually three types of kuih, fruits, a hot beverage and mineral water.”

The ruling will include all state education departments, public universities, polytechnics and community colleges.

Madinah said the move was part of internal control measures introduced to ensure more efficiency in how funds were spent and as a mechanism to ensure there was sufficient funds for annual expenses.

“Also, department heads should ensure that only those who really need to attend these meetings do so,” she added.