KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 — The special discounts on raw items to be given to Menu Rahmah operators could help improve the quality of food sold as well as ensure the sustainability of the initiative.
Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma) president Datuk Jawahar Ali Taib Khan said the special discounts, announced yesterday by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, would also encourage Menu Rahmah operators to diversify the meals.
“In the early stages of Menu Rahmah, there was debate on how long it would last, but if there is a price cut on basic items, it means that we can expand this initiative. It would also encourage other operators to join.
“Perhaps the government can help further, for example by issuing a quota of 20 kg of cooking oil to Menu Rahmah operators and those who are committed to making this programme a success,” he told Bernama when contacted.
He added that only 30 to 40 per cent of the approximately 10,000 restaurants under Presma have participated in the Menu Rahmah initiative, so far.
Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur Food Truck Entrepreneurs Association (KLFTEA) president Muhammad Azlan Abas suggested the introduction of more comprehensive incentives so that they can be enjoyed by all traders including food truck operators who support the Menu Rahmah initiative.
“For example, the insurance payment for food truck operators is about RM4,000 and some can reach up to RM6,000. In addition, expansive road tax and packaging prices have a greater impact on food truck operators,” he said.
A restaurant operator in Tanjung Tualang, Perak, Qurratu Aini said the profits that she made every day have increased after introducing Menu Rahmah.
“I hope this programme can be continued so that the government can help the people and also the traders,” she added.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister said the government is collaborating with selected supermarkets to offer these operators special prices for items such as chicken, onions and other basic foodstuff.
As of April 15, a total of 1,706 Menu Rahmah operators have registered on its portal. They are offering lunch or dinner sets for as low as RM5. — Bernama
