Balanced meal: A worker showing a Menu Rahmah item at Mydin Subang Jaya Hypermarket. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
SUBANG JAYA: A balanced meal that includes rice, chicken or fish and vegetables for just RM5 is now a reality under an initiative called Menu Rahmah, participated by more than 15,000 food outlets, that specially caters for the B40 group.
The programme, which began yesterday, is made possible with the cooperation of the Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners’ Association (Primas), Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma), Malaysian Tomyam Operators Association, Malaysian Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors General Association, Bumiputera Retailers Organisation (BRO), Malaysia Retail Chain Association and Malaysia Retailers Association.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said through the initiative, it is hoped that no one, especially the hardcore poor, will go hungry.He commended the earnest support of the stakeholders who have stepped up to help the public deal with the increasing cost of living, following an engagement session with the ministry on Jan 26.
“More than 15,000 from seven food and beverage associations gave their commitment to be part of Menu Rahmah at their premises.
“We will be placing a sticker at the outlets to indicate Menu Rahmah. This is not a one-off thing but depends on how long stakeholders are willing,” he said after the launch of the menu at Mydin Subang Jaya Hypermarket yesterday.Asked how the price is capped at RM5 compared with the average market rate of RM8 per plate, Salahuddin said the extra cost is borne by stakeholders.
“They are willing to reduce their profit margin but not compromise on the portion of food.
“We will be extending the cooperation between the ministry and more industry players nationwide soon,” he said.
Also present were Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd managing director cum BRO president Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin, Presma president Datuk Jawahar Ali Taib Khan and Primas president Govindasamy Jayabalan.
Mydin also donated 5,000 packets of Menu Rahmah food to Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) students of the B40 group.
Ameer Ali said it is important to have someone lead such an initiative. “Our concern is to ascertain if there is a loss, so after calculating the RM5, we found that it can be done,” he said.
The plan, he added, can go on for a longer period, depending on the global economic situation.
“As far as Mydin is concerned, we will go (with the initiative) for three months at least,” he said.
Ameer Ali said the move presented a good marketing opportunity for industry players without needing subsidies from the government.
Jawahar said the initiative is about how industry players can contribute to the government.
“We are committed to this and it’s not one-off. We will go on as long as we can,” he said.
