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By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright February 2023
Rahmah Menu of RM5 for B40 emerged out of cooperation with food operators not out of a boycott by the public because of rising food cost.
Recently, restaurant operators were reportedly disappointed over remarks by Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli on cost of living and price of goods and had urged the public to boycott businesses that do not lower the price of goods and food.
That confrontational approach is not necessarily the best option available for a Minister who is supposed to manage the economy for the rakyat and not destroy it.
Boycott and barricades might be good for students in college who seem to insist on a boycott or a strike at a drop of the hat. But a Minister may want to "stroke instead of a strike!". Here's why.
Recently, Syed Jamarul Khan, the MD of Syed Bistro Restaurants network, described Rafizi's call for the rakyat to boycott restaurants for high prices as irrelevant. He said consumers had the right to choose for themselves. "If a customer feels that the prices at a restaurant are too high, they are free to choose a cheaper option," he said.
Similarly, Ameer Ali Mydin, the managing director of Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd told Rafizi to be a politician for the people and not a "corporate politician".
We do not know whether Rafizi's call led to the creation of the Rahmah Menu at RM5 for lunch to help ease the burden of B40 workers but from where we stand it is obvious that 15000 restaurants have stepped forward in the spirit of cooperation to provide affordable meals for the have-nots without the public having to resort to a universal boycott of eating premises.
The Menu Rahmah meal programme meant for the poor is currently running as a private initiative with a wide variety of choice in protein and vegetable prepared to suit every customer's taste buds, at only RM5.00 (2.50 for kids).
The ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living signed an MoU with participating associations, namely, the Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association, Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association, Malaysian Tomyam Owners Association, Malaysia Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors General Association, Bumiputera Retailers Organisation, Malaysia Retail Chain Association, and Malaysia Retailers Association.
In fact, reports say the Rahmah Menu is so successful that there are now plans to include eateries that may offer non-halal food at the same price of RM5.
This is something for all ministers to ponder when they have to deal with the private sector. Avoid all confrontation seek cooperation, you'll get more lasting results without alienating anyone.
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