GOVERNMENT agencies and government-linked companies (GLCs) should serve only locally sourced food and drinks in their meetings, a DAP lawmaker said.

Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng said Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob should issue an directive to bar imported refreshments at government meetings after a video was released of the leader attending a conference where Evian mineral water was served.

The January 31 meeting in question was of the national action council to discuss cost of living issues as well as to seek resolution to the shortage of chickens and eggs

Ismail Sabri had posted on Twitter a video of himself at the meeting where bottles of French mineral water were served.

The post has drawn comments from Malaysians about the unwarranted luxury of serving Evian.

 “I would like to request that the Prime Minister’s Office or the chief secretary to the government inform the people which are the government departments providing Evian drinking water during their meetings?” Lim said today.

“If the Evian water is sponsored by another party, the government needs to clarify who the sponsor is.

“I suggest the PM instruct all agencies and GLCs to only use local brands during meetings.”

Lim said it would be even better if government meetings did not serve food or drink unless the meeting was held over lunch.

“This measure will definitely save people’s money as well as reduce food and beverage wastage. It will also help the government’s efforts to reduce the obesity rate of Malaysians.”

Pakatan Harapan who was in power from 2018 to early 2022 had attempted to cut spending by keeping refreshments at meetings and even at official events to a minimum.

Evian is sold at RM4.50 per bottle on the Jaya Grocer website. In comparison, the same supermarket sells a 600ml bottle of Spritzer water – bottled in Taiping, Perak – at RM1.25. – February 5, 2022.