KUALA LUMPUR: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) has terminated the contract of a company in charge of a cafeteria at one of its colleges in Perak.
"We will (also) sue them for damages," Mara chairman Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki told the New Straits Times, adding this would happen "soon".
He said Mara would sue the cafeteria operator for an alleged breach of contract and a failure to maintain cleanliness which he claimed led to food poisoning among students of the Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) in Taiping.
It was previously reported that Asyraf confronted the contractor after inspecting the cafeteria at the MRSM.
During the inspection, he discovered lizard droppings and rats on the premises, as well as maggots in the students' meals.
Asyraf said today this was the first time Mara would drag a contractor to court since he assumed the role of chairman.
"I want to send a warning to all MRSM contractors. I also want Mara's legal department to review the terms of contracts to ensure there is no room for negligence, especially in matters about the safety and welfare of students."
Asyraf said Mara's legal department is now evaluating the compensation sought including the costs Mara has to bear while the cafeteria is closed.
He said Mara is now bearing the cost of catering meals for the students after it terminated the cafeteria operator's contract.