Utarians United Through Food

J-on | Friday, June 25, 2010 |
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By Gogulamathe S.
 Photos by Alicia Yeoh

 Kampar, June 24 (J-on) - More than 200 students gathered today at the 1Malaysia Food Carnival at UTAR to try out the wide varieties of Malaysian delicacies.

There were 29 hawker stalls set up outside Heritage Hall, selling food like Nasi Lemak, Keropok Lekor, ABC, Kebab, Burger and many other local cuisines. Students were queuing up to buy their favorite food during the carnival from as early 10am to 5pm.

UTAR, Dato Prof. Chuah Hean Teik who officiated the event said “no matter where I go, I will come back to savor our local food”.

Dr. Chuah and guests were then entertained by lion dance performance which made the event even merrier.


An energetic performance enlivening the opening ceremony of the 1Malaysia Carnival


Among the attractions is a stall selling Kenyan food. The very first international students of Utar who are pursuing their studies in Utar – Mbaru Oscar Raha and Hamara Mohamed Awadh of Kenya took the opportunity to promote their native food, Matoke.

“The dish made of fish, banana and coconuts mixed with tomato and onions were snapped up in just thirty minutes,” said Hamara when met at his stall.


Matoke: Mixture of fish, banana and coconuts together with tomato and onions served after being steamed

A seasoned vendor, Anjalai A/P Muniandy, who has been selling “cendol” and “ais batu campur” around Old Town for 15 years said: “I was invited by the 1 Malaysia Society member and this was a good opportunity for me to promote my stall to students”.


Anjalai was shaving ice to make ABC’s and Cendol while her daughter in-law helped around


Dumpling from Ipoh brought all the way down to UTAR’s food carnival

On the other hand, Hamdan bin Sukiman, a “satay” seller also didn’t miss the chance in participating in this carnival. He has four years experience selling “satay” in five different places.

According to 1Malaysia Society Chairperson Pathma Priya Ganeson, the support by Utarians was overwhelming.

The organizing Chairperson, Lawrence Lye Chao Ping, an undergraduate in Psychology said the main purpose of this carnival is to bring all the local cultures and connect them through food.

“This is also a chance in breaking the normal routine of buying food from UTAR’s cafeterias,” he said.


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