RESTAURANT operators and other food sellers are ready to support the Menu Rahmah meal plan – introduced by the unity government to ease the poor’s burdens – even if it means reduced revenue for them.  

They told The Malaysian Insight that under the programme, they would have to sell the meals at a controlled price – set at RM5 per meal – which could mean absorbing the costs of ingredients and labour.  

They said they were willing to do so in order to help the rakyat, especially the B40 group.  

The Menu Rahmah initiative was launched by Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Salahuddin Ayub last week. Under the scheme, meals would be priced at RM5 per serving at nearly 15,000 food outlets nationwide. 

Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma) president Jawahar Ali Taib Khan said that all 15 of his outlets around the Klang Valley had started serving Menu Rahmah. 

“We are charging RM5 for white rice, vegetables, and fish or chicken with tea, warm water, or bottled drinking water. 

“The normal price is usually RM10.30 to RM11 and we don’t compromise on the portions. This is to help the rakyat,” he said. 

He said Menu Rahmah would be available for lunch from noon to 3pm, but operators would not be too strict about it, even offering the meals after the stipulated hours. 

“Most of our outlets get up to 50 people coming in for the Menu Rahmah meals. The most important thing is we will not compromise on the portions, ingredients, and spices that we use.” 

Jawahar said Presma has 4,500 members who operated around 12,000 outlets nationwide, except for Sarawak.  

He said around 30% of its members would participate in the initiative.  

“We will be encouraging all our members to participate in this programme. This is the time to help people because of the high cost of living. 

“So far, we have no complaints. I told our members to give the people good food with reasonable prices; if not, don’t do it.”  

Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd managing director Ameer Ali Mydin said Mydin had started serving the Menu Rahmah at 28 hypermarkets and food courts around the country.  

“We are charging RM4.90 per meal with bottled water. It usually costs about RM8.90. The menu changes daily so that people can have a variety of dishes.  

“We hope that this would help those in the B40 and M40 groups.” 

He said that Menu Rahmah was also available at its two outlets in Kuching, Sarawak and its single outlet in Sandakan, Sabah.  

Ameer said that Mydin had gone a step further by offering breakfast meals like fried mee, fried kway teow, and nasi lemak at an affordable price of RM2.50 per plate and local kuih at RM2.50 for three pieces. This ran from 8am to 10am daily.  

Since the launch of the scheme, up to 20% of their customers had been going for the Menu Rahmah, he added. 

Savings with cheaper meals 

School teacher from Tampin, R. Malar, 47, said she was planning to try Menu Rahmah at the Mydin hypermarket near her home.

“I have seen posters of the food and would like to try it as it is very affordable and I can save money.  

“They are selling the dishes at RM5, which is very affordable. I usually have to spend RM10 or more for a meal. This is a saving for me,” she said.

Mohd Arif Hishamudin, 44, said Menu Rahmah was one of the best moves taken by the government to help the people. 

The security guard said he usually spent about RM10 to RM15 daily to buy food, but now he could save money. 

He pointed out that the cost of living in a small town like Kuala Terengganu was the same as that in Kuala Lumpur. 

“Usually if you buy a meal of mixed rice with chicken or fish, vegetables and water it can reach up to RM10 or more.”  

Clothes shop worker Haniza, 29, also agreed that Menu Rahmah was helpful.

She said that working people could choose to buy, rather than cook, their meals.  

“Because if I cook, the cost is actually higher than buying ready-made food. 

 “It also takes time to cook. When I get back from work, I am already very tired. So, even if I cook it’s only on weekends,” she said. 

E-hailing driver from Kuala Lumpur Azril Ahmat, 37, said that he was planning to check out the Menu Rahmah.  

“Usually for lunch, my friend and I would spend about RM20, but now we can get two meals at half the price.” 

He added that apart from Menu Rahmah, the government should come out with more initiatives to help the rakyat.  

“The government could look into providing more affordable products such as grocery items,” he said. – February 8, 2023.