This follows the discovery of rat droppings on the floor.

State health, human resources and unity committee chairman Ngwe Hee Sem said the action was taken under the Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control Act 1988 and the Food Act 1983 for necessary cleaning and corrective measures to be taken.

He said both premises were fined RM1,000.

He said the dining hall and cafeteria were also closed because the refrigerator did not meet set standards.

“The cooperative involved has also been instructed to suspend the sale of take-away food from external suppliers until the district health office completes its investigation,” he said when contacted by the media today.

The health ministry had also recommended several catering options from its list to provide meals for the 663 students during the closure.

Yesterday, Mara chairman Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki conducted a surprise visit to Terendak MRSM after receiving reports that 48 students were experiencing stomach pain, believed to be due to food poisoning.

Eight of them were treated in hospital and later discharged.

He said preliminary investigations revealed that the kitchen was dirty and poorly maintained, with rat droppings present, leading the district health office to issue fines for the violations.