KUCHING: Customers who participated in the lunch day of the Menu Rahmah programme at Mydin Hypermarket in Bandar Baru Semariang, here yesterday were thrilled with their experience, with many describing the food as being “cheap,” “delicious,” and “appetising.”
Norazah Aziz, 43, from Pasir Pandak, said the meal was not only balanced but affordable for low income groups.
“The price is reasonable, and the dishes are fresh and very appetising.
“This programme is very good and even worthwhile for those with a big family,” she told New Sarawak Tribune.
Customers were seen queueing up for the RM4.90 meal at the Menu Rahmah counter during lunch time at the supermarket.
Ong Kok Wai, 34, from Bintawa, said the reasonable meal eases the burden of people seeking healthy and balanced food choices.
“For me, the lunch menu – which comes with white rice, side dishes and mineral water – is reasonably priced and filling,” he added.
Manager of the Mydin Bandar Baru Semariang branch, Adrian Harrison disclosed that the Menu Rahmah programme changes daily to offer customers a variety of options.
“For example, we’ll have white rice, chicken curry, fried cabbage and a bottle of mineral water today (Friday).
“Thankfully, the response since the first day here is very encouraging,” he said.
Additionally, he informed that during a meeting with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry last Monday, the ministry announced plans to introduce an app that will allow consumers to search for Menu Rahmah in Kuching.
On the cooperation between the ministry and industry players, Mydin Mohamed Holdings Berhad (Mydin) managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin said that it was important to have someone to lead such an initiative.
“Our concern is not about whether it was doable or not, we had to ascertain if there is a loss, so after calculating the RM5, we found that it can be done.
“So the plan can go on for a longer period but it depends on the global economic situation. As far as Mydin is concerned, we will go (with the initiative) for three months at least,” he said in a statement to New Sarawak Tribune yesterday.
“Through this, we hope no one will be left behind, especially the poor going hungry…and I don’t think those who are not in the B40 will take advantage because they can afford to choose,” he added.
He added the initiative presented a good marketing opportunity for industry players without needing any subsidies.
Meanwhile many restaurant owners interviewed said they had much to chew on before they could offer the government-initiated Menu Rahmah.
“My main concern is the cost of chicken and fish, which are essential sources of nutrients for a balanced meal,” said restaurant owner Mohd Rafik Abdullah, 50.
“I am worried that I may not be able to provide the meal in the long run if prices go up again,” he added.
Mohd Rafik said he was keen to take part in Menu Rahmah, despite it not being a compulsory programme.
“Some customers have started asking about the menu when they drop by my restaurant,” he said in an interview at his restaurant in Kota Sentosa.
However, he said he would need to study its long-term feasibility.
“It is definitely a good initiative, but we need to make several considerations before taking part in it. I do not want to come up with an affordable meal only to take it off the menu after a few weeks,” he added.
Another restaurant owner in Jalan Keretapi, Lee Suet Yan, said she was considering taking part in the initiative once Menu Rahmah is opened up to non-halal food outlets.
“The cheapest meal at my restaurant for rice with two dishes is about RM7, which is slightly higher than Menu Rahmah.
“I think it will not be much of a problem for me to make some adjustments to the portion and selection of dishes to fit the meal for the programme,” she said.
Lee, 59, said she would try offering Menu Rahmah for a few months, once the programme is open to non-halal eateries.
“If it is sustainable, then I will continue with it for a longer period,” she added.
Checks at several Indian Muslim restaurants found that they were still thinking about it.
The manager of Nasi Kandar Line Q, Amin, told New Sarawak Tribune that they will introduce their menu Rahmah soon after discussing the matter with Ameer Ali Mydin.
He mentioned that the launch may happen first at the Nasi Kandar Line Q outlet in Mydin Petra Jaya.
“We have yet to come to a decision. It is not easy for us to take part in the initiative as they would bear the extra cost of preparing the food, so we will need more time to decide,” he said.
He said the programme was meant to help those in the B40 category and the hardcore poor but everybody else is welcome to get the balanced meal at restaurants where Menu Rahmah is available.
“However, we cannot be checking our customers one by one to verify if they are from the B40 category. It is better to just open it to everyone who wants to try out the menu,” he added.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub announced recently that Malaysians could enjoy RM5 (or below) meals at nearly 15,000 eateries nationwide through Menu Rahmah.
The programme is being run with the cooperation of the Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners’ Association, Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association, Malaysian Tomyam Operators Association, Malaysian Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors General Association, Bumiputera Retailers Organisation, Malaysia Retail Chain Association, and Malaysia Retailers Association.
