Hussein says Perusim will wait until end of the year before deciding whether to increase their food prices.
EATERY operators in Johor Baru are finding it hard to maintain the prices of their food and drinks as prices of essential items have skyrocketed early this year.
Many have no choice but to hike their prices in order to keep their businesses afloat or they will be forced to close down.
Bonda Rozita Kitchen owner Rozita Ramli, who runs a stall selling Malay-style mixed rice, said her operating cost had increased while her profit margin had shrunk.
“I end up scratching my head when going to the market to buy cooking ingredients as the prices of most items have gone up,’’ she said.
Rozita (right) says the operating cost for her stall has increased, shrinking profit margins. — ZAZALI MUSA/The Star
Rozita, who runs a stall at Jalan Taman Cermat Hawker Centre in Taman Maju Jaya, has regular customers who understand the situation.
She has had to increase her charges for fish and other seafood dishes due to costlier produce.
According to her, ikan keli (catfish) is now selling at RM12 per kg from RM10 last year while ikan tenggiri (Spanish mackerel) went up from RM28 per kg to RM38 and ikan kaci (harlequin sweetlips) was being sold at RM17 per kg from RM9 previously.
“I’ve not been cooking prawn and cuttlefish dishes since early this year as they are getting costlier,’’ she said, adding that the price of medium-sized prawns has gone up to RM42 from RM35 per kg and cuttlefish from RM38 per kg to RM44.
Rozita said luckily prices of vegetables had either stabilised or gone down after the Chinese New Year celebration.
Johor Indian Muslim Entrepreneurs Association (Perusim) secretary Hussein Ibrahim said the association will wait until end of the year before deciding whether to increase their food prices.
“As of now, we are still retaining our prices and looking at whether the government is seriously addressing the issue of costlier essential items,’’ he said.
Hussein suggested the authorities eliminate the role of middleman which he claimed was the main reason prices of essential items had gone up.
“The Federal and Johor governments should consider setting up a centralised centre to control distribution and supply of essential items,’’ he added.
Hussein said come January 2024, customers will probably have to pay more to enjoy roti canai or mee goreng mamak at Indian Muslim restaurants in Johor if prices of cooking ingredients continue on the upward trend.
He said for now, customers still can enjoy roti canai kosong for RM1.20 a piece and roti canai telur at RM2.50, mee goreng telur at RM3.50 per plate and mee goreng ayam for between RM5 and RM7.
“Our crispy fried chicken is selling between RM3 and RM4.50 per piece now depending on size,’’ said Hussein.
Currently, there are 900 Indian Muslim restaurants in Johor with around 300 outlets operating in Johor Baru, Pasir Gudang and Kulai areas, he said.
Hussein added that 10% of the Indian Muslim restaurants which were forced to close down during the Covid-19 pandemic due to shortage of workers had reopened.
“We are grateful to the government for allowing us to employ new foreign workers, especially those from south India and Indonesia,’’ he said.
