PETALING JAYA: It has been a win-win situation with Menu Rahmah, as the people get cheaper meals and traders get more business.
Many eateries say that they are getting more regular customers with the introduction of the menu, and it’s not just the poor.
Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin said his supermarket’s food court has seen an increase in regular customers, with many coming during lunch hour.
“Quite a number do not order Menu Rahmah. They order other meals or beverages, which increases the restaurant’s revenue. Some of these people just support eateries that are offering Menu Rahmah,” he said, adding that Mydin can sustain the initiative for at least a year.
“For the moment, food prices are consistent, and vegetable prices have not risen, so we will retain Menu Rahmah.”
He said about 15% of Mydin customers order Menu Rahmah while 85% order other dishes.
Datuk Jawahar Ali Taib Khan, who owns the Ali Maju restaurant chain, said Menu Rahmah was one of the reasons contributing to an increase in sales at his outlets.
Some, he said, have also become regular customers.
Under this initiative, he said dishes which would normally cost RM11 are now sold for RM5.
In addition, customers were offered a spread of several side dishes.
“It is not only for the B40, but there are people who might only have one meal a day.
“They can also come,” he said, adding that some 60 plates could be sold in a day.
Asked if it was sustainable in terms of cost, he said he saw it as an act of charity.
“Not only vegetables, (the prices of) everything are going up. For me it is not an excuse,” he said.
Jawahar is also considering a special menu for Ramadan.
The Malaysian Indian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma) president also said more members are joining the initiative every day.
AraThai Buffet owner Ruzainie Adam Chen said around 40 plates of Menu Rahmah meals are sold on weekdays at his restaurant.
“Customers who came and tried our Menu Rahmah tell their friends – that is how we get more customers.
“We hope the government can consider providing marketing materials for small restaurants like mine, so we can attract more customers,” said Ruzainie, whose restaurant offers mixed rice during lunchtime in Ara Damansara.
Rusliza Seafood operator Ya Kadir said his restaurant in Subang Bestari, Selangor, receives up to 30 customers for Menu Rahmah in a day, showing the initiative, although not very profitable, has been gaining traction.
“The public’s reception has been very positive. More people are coming to the restaurant after we introduced the initiative,” he added.
Meanwhile, Domino’s Pizza is offering a personal pizza for RM3.90 as part of its Super Tuesday offer.
Linda Hassan, the group chief marketing officer for Malaysia, Singapore & Cambodia, said the chain had been offering personal pizzas for as low as RM5 since 2015.
“As such, the Menu Rahmah meal is not new for our customers,” she said.
