THOUGH under lockdown, Penang nasi kandar restaurant operators are turning to delivery service to reach customers out of state, especially those in the Klang Valley.

Besides helping customers, who are unable to go to Penang to satisfy their craving for nasi kandar, the delivery service has also helped increase sales during the conditional movement-control order (CMCO).

The CMCO was enforced on November 9 throughout the peninsula, except Perlis, Pahang and Kelantan, and is set to end on December 6.

Since last Saturday, the CMCO remains throughout the country, except Malacca, Pahang, Terengganu and parts of Kedah, Johor and Sarawak.

Restoran Nasi Kandar Kg Melayu in Ayer Itam, which uses the service, said it is able to send up to 700 packets a day to Kuala Lumpur.

Its operator, Zainab Bibi Mohamad, said after the MCO was relaxed in June, visitors from outside Penang, especially from the Klang Valley, came in droves every weekend.

“When the government suddenly announced CMCO, we were worried that business would drop again.

“Fortunately, for the past two months, we have been using food-delivery services, so we already have regular customers.

“Since the beginning of the month, the demand for nasi kandar from the Klang Valley has increased,” said Zainab, who runs the restaurant with her husband.

Zainab said her current customers are only from Penang and business is down by half. She used to make up to RM5,000 per day but now, it is between RM2,000 and RM3,000.

“The place has become less lively. I prefer customers to come to the restaurant… to eat dishes that are still hot and fresh.

“Even though there is a food delivery service, my heart still wants our customers to come and enjoy the food at the shop.”

Cost-cutting, shorter hours

Hameediyah Restaurant on Jalan Campbell, which is recognised as the oldest nasi kandar business in Malaysia, said its income has declined by more than half since early November and it is forced to reduce operating costs to survive the Covid-19 crisis.

“Just imagine, if you were getting RM10,000 a day, but now it has dropped by 60%. We still have to think about salaries and raw materials,” said Ahamed Seeni Pakir Abdul Sukkoor, who is running the family business, which began in 1907.

“When the CMCO was enforced in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, the effect was very clear.

“In the past, on Sundays, the queue was almost five shops long but now, there are no queues.”

Seeni said the restaurant, which previously operated in two shop lots, is now only operating in a single two-storey lot.

In addition to travel restrictions that have reduced the number of customers, Seeni said business is badly hit from the economic impact of Covid-19.

“Even Penang folk have stopped coming as many are having financial problems. Some have had their salaries cut, while some have lost their jobs.

“So, we are also impacted. Sometimes, there are months when we have difficulty paying employees and other operating costs.”

Seeni said to stay in the business, it is offering a set meal at RM6 per plate.

Mohamed Ali Amier, who runs the Nasi Kandar Ali Amier Restaurant in Jelutong, said his business has declined by 40% a month since the MCO was implemented in March.

He used to earn an average of RM3,000 a day but it has now dwindled to around RM1,000 a day.

“I have not only lost customers from Kuala Lumpur and other states, but Penangites are also afraid to leave their homes.

“Our restaurant closes at 12am but by 9pm, the shop is empty.”

Ali hopes a Covid-19 vaccine will be found soon but, in the meantime, hopes the government will encourage the people to spend to boost the economy.

“Many are affected by Covid-19, hence the purchasing power has declined.

“The government needs to come up with a campaign to encourage people to go out and shop. We need the purchasing power of the people to recover.” – November 29, 2020.