KUALA LUMPUR, February 10 – The implementation of the Rahmah Menu initiative which offers food at a price of RM5 and below since the end of last month does not involve any allocation or expenditure from the government. The Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said, on the contrary, it is entirely the commitment of traders who voluntarily participate. He said, since its launch, Menu Rahmah has been well received throughout the country with many traders responding to the government’s aspirations in helping those in need, especially the B40 group.
“Many traders are racing to join this initiative by offering food for as low as RM5 at their premises, this means they want to do it together in a spirit of charity without forcing anyone. So the concept here is clear, not a single cent of government money is involved,” he told reporters after officiating the Menu Rahmah initiative which is now joined by the Tom Yam Entrepreneurs Association of Malaysia (Pertom) in Lembah Keramat here today.
Salahuddin said, his ministry has never forced any business, entrepreneur and food industry player, big or small, to get involved in the sale of Rahmah Menu. “We are not forced, rather it is a deal with the industry including Mydin (Mydin Mohamed Holdings Berhad), Malaysian Indian Muslim Restaurant Operators Association, Pertom and Malaysian Indian Restaurant Operators Association. “It was only after this engagement session that we presented the Rahmah Menu idea with the target buyers being those who need daily meals at an affordable price,” he said.
He said that his ministry is in the process of developing an application that contains a directory of food premises that offer Rahmah Menu dishes throughout the country. He said, it is to ensure that the people have information about the traders who participate in the government’s initiative in their area as well as at the same time promoting premises that offer the sale of Rahmah Menu.
Last January 31, Salahuddin launched the Rahmah Menu initiative and as many as 15,000 premises selling food participated in the effort to help reduce the cost of living for the people, especially the low-income group. – Named
