Keeping food prices low despite the cost

Dependence on imports is for some foods including vegetables and fruits. Malaysia still needs to import food commodities such as vegetables and fruits from temperate climates, This is because these commodities are not economical to produce in Malaysia because the price will be higher than imports in addition to the country’s unfavorable weather factors and it is affected by the demand of the local market. . — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star

JOHOR BARU: Despite the rising cost of ingredients, some food stalls here are still trying to maintain low prices to keep their customers happy.

Roti canai seller Madi Umar, 63, believes he has one of the lowest prices. “My roti canai kosong, roti bawang and roti bom are priced at RM1 each. A packet of fried mee hoon or fried mee is also RM1 each,” he said.

“I used to sell a piece of roti canai at 90sen even when the Covid-19 pandemic struck, but because of inflation, I decided to increase it by 10sen three months ago.

“I make it up to my customers by giving them extra pieces of roti canai with their orders as a form of charity,” he told The Star, adding that customers are free to help themselves to as much curry and dalcha as they please.

The grandfather of three added that he sells drinks at RM1 per glass and when customers come in large parties, he would give them jugs of teh-o for free.

Madi said when he first opened his stall in Kampung Pasir here more than 20 years ago, his roti canai kosong was sold at 50sen a piece.

“Customers are already stressed with things getting more expensive these days and I hope to ease their burden by providing cheap food and drinks,” he said, adding that he sells 600 to 700 pieces of the unleavened bread a day.

Meanwhile, retiree Yeow Ah Soon was all smiles when purchasing two packets of chicken rice at RM3 each at a stall in Taman Ungku Tun Aminah.

“I frequent the stall almost daily to pack lunch for my wife and me. The same dish at other shops could easily be as high as RM7 or RM8 each.

“The price has kept thrifty senior citizens like me coming back,” said the 76-year-old.

The 41-year-old stall owner Vu Thi Minh has been selling chicken rice for almost 10 years.

“I used to sell a plate of chicken rice at RM2.50 and only increased it by 50sen a few years ago as the cost of rice and chickens have gone up.

“I have a lot of regulars who want cheap and quick meals. My stall is also located near low-cost flats so I plan to keep my price low,” she said, adding that she sells at least 20 chickens a day.