Fussy Flood Victims Turn Down Free Vegetarian Food Because They Want Meat Instead

Picky flood victims have caused disappointment among volunteers by refusing to eat the free food, claiming it doesn’t suit their tastebuds.

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Since last Saturday, Malaysians have been united in extending assistance to those affected by massive floods that hit the country.

Sadly, some flood victims have been rejecting the hot meals cooked and delivered to them by volunteers.

Now they are demanding the volunteers to prepare food with meat preferably chicken – something the volunteers have flatly rejected.

A volunteer frying bean curd at the kitchen in Gurdwara Sahib Shah Alam. (Credit: Fernando Fong)

Gurdwara Sahib Shah Alam coordinator Dr Thesdave Singh said his team of volunteers has totally rejected giving in to any of their demands.

He added that most of those who claimed that the food is not suited for their taste buds didn’t even bother to try it.

The volunteers work hard day and night, some come to help right after their job is finished. We find this rejection by the flood victims incomprehensible and disappointing.
Gurdwara Sahib Shah Alam coordinator Dr Thesdave Singh to TRP on the picky flood victims

Volunteers hard at work at the kitchen in Gurdwara Sahib Shah Alam. (Credit: Fernando Fong)

At the same time, he stressed that many flood victims are happy and grateful to receive assistance from good samaritans.

They are also thankful because knowing they are not forgotten gave them hope, said Dr Thesdave.

The public donated all kinds of daily essentials. (Credit: Fernando Fong)

A Heavy Burden

The Gurdwara Sahib Shah Alam aims to prepare at least 5,000 meals per day.

At the same time, the temple is handing out clothes, groceries and hygiene packs, most of which are donated by members of the public.

It also opened its door to any flood victims who need a temporary place to stay.

Dr Thesdave said the needs are not just in Shah Alam and Klang, but also in many other places such as Bukit Lanchong, Dengkil, Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi and Taman Ehsan in Banting.

We are also sending aids to affected areas in Pahang and Negeri Sembilan. The needs are plenty, but the workers are few. It’s really a case of ‘kita jaga kita’ (people taking care of one another instead of relying on the authorities)
Gurdwara Sahib Shah Alam coordinator Dr Thesdave Singh to TRP on the picky flood victims on extending aid beyond Klang Valley

Volunteers preparing dhal at the kitchen in Gurdwara Sahib Shah Alam. (Credit: Fernando Fong)

He added that some of the residents in these smaller places had not been visited by government officials even after a few days since the flood started last weekend.

Every hour we continue to receive messages for assistance. To complicate matters, private boats are not allowed to go into flooded areas, which prevents flood victims from getting aid effectively.
Gurdwara Sahib Shah Alam coordinator Dr Thesdave Singh to TRP on the challenges in sending aid

Halal Is Not An Issue

At the same time, Dr Thesdave said there is absolutely no issue with the food being not halal.

In Sikhism, only vegetarian food is served in the Gurdwara.

This ensures that any visitor to the Gurdwara, whatever the dietary restrictions of their faith, can eat in.
Dr Thesdave to TRP on why only vegetarian food is served in the Gurdwara

Some netizens had questioned the halal status of the food, and some even said they would rather starve to death than receive non-halal food.

A young boy eating by the roadside in Taman Sri Muda after being rescued. (Credit: Fernando Fong)

The accusation triggered a backlash from the right-minded members of the public.

Time banjir pun ada orang tengah pertikai makanan dari Gurdwara halal ke tak. Ini salah mak bapak ka salah sekolah ni? Atau pun terhentak kepala time lahir? Kalau ada general knowledge kan dah tau Gurdwara hanya masak strictly vegetarian food. Tak halal sebab keling masak kot
— Inbaraj (@Inbarajs) December 20, 2021

Politicians Weigh In

Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad reiterated that gurdwara food is all halal.

Furthermore, Muslims also volunteered in the preparation of the food.

The majority of Malaysians are sensible people and they have no qualms on the issue. Muslims need not feel apprehensive as the food prepared is vegetarian and prepared by many people including those who are Muslims.
Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad to TRP on the halal issue.

The former Federal Territories Minister added that he had tried the vegetarian food, which he commended as hearty and filling.

Some netizens sought to remove doubts by pointing out that former Mufti of the Federal Territories of Malaysia Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri also helped in one of the gurdwara kitchens.

Former Mufti of the Federal Territories of Malaysia Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri lending his hand at a gurdwara. (Source: Twitter)

Datuk Dr Zulkifli also chipped in on the debate and reassured the people.

Ya. Tidak ada masalah untuk makan hidangan yang disediakan bukan Muslim yang bukan ahli kitab (People of the Book) selagi mana tidak melibatkan haiwan sembelihan mereka. Terima kasih kepada saudara kami yang beragama Sikh atas bantuan yang dihulurkan. God bless them. https://t.co/BP7ix7956w
— Dr. Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri (@drzul_albakri) December 21, 2021

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