MALAYSIA’S favourite roti canai and teh tarik will cost more as restaurant owners are faced with rising prices of ingredients.

Restaurant owners told The Malaysian Insight some outlets have already raised their prices and others are likely to do so next month

Prices are generally expected to rise 10-15%. The price of an order of roti canai, which averages around RM1.60, could go up to RM2.20 while a glass of teh tarik could go from RM1.80 to RM2.50. 

Malaysian Indian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma) president Jawahar Ali Taib Khan said members have yet not raised their prices.

“We definitely heard that the prices of roti canai and other mamak fare will be going up.

“For the time being we will try to maintain our prices. But we don’t know for how long. If prices of goods keep going up then we will consider it. There will be a 10% increase, at most.” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“We are not going for more profit but volume of sales.

“We don’t want to burden the people as everyone is suffering. Business has picked up now but the only issue we still face is shortage of staff.”

Jawahar said a 25kg bag of flour cost RM49.90 in January but the price shot up to RM62.90 this month. The price of margarine the price has gone up from RM85 to RM100.

The association has about 10,000 members after having lost of 15% of them since the pandemic in 2020.

Malaysia’s heavy reliance on food imports has contributed to the rise in the cost of living today.

Supply chain disruptions due to the war in Ukraine and ringgit depreciation are among the reasons for soaring prices of food.

Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association president (Primas) J. Suresh said members plan to raise prices eventually.

“We will increase prices as the prices of goods have gone up tremendously. Some restaurants have already increased their prices and others might do so next month.”

“The prices will vary depending on the location of the restaurants. We are looking at up to a 15% increase for all items.

“At least 10% of the outlets have already raised their prices.”

Primas has about 1,500 members.

Suresh said the association has asked to meet with the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.

“We hope that the government can provide some subsidy in the form of cash or oil, flour and other goods.”

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations president Marimuthu Nadason said it was clear the government has failed to manage the economy.

“It’s the price we have to pay for weak policies. I agree that everything (prices) has gone up.

“How are they (restaurant owners) going to do business? I would like to appeal to the associations to be reasonable when it comes to raising prices.”

He said food security is be a long term effort, but the country has seen three governments take over in less than five years.

“We would like to advise consumers to manage their finances well. We need to change our consumption and spending patterns.

“This can help minimise hardship.” – May 30, 2022.