JOHOR BARU: If food truck operators wish to charge hefty prices for the food they sell, then it is the consumers' right to not purchase buying them.
This was the response from Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin when asked if consumers were being short-changed.
"If someone opens a food truck, and he is doing it because his food is special enough to sell at a RM50 price, then let him sell it at RM50.
"What's important is that as consumers, we have the right not to buy food from him because such a price is too expensive.
"There are many other food trucks selling 'char kuey teow' or 'nasi lemak'. We always have a choice," said Hamzah after launching Marrybrown Sdn Bhd's School of Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) at Dewani Industrial Area today.
Also present were the fast food company's founder and managing director, Datin Nancy Liew and its chairman Datuk Lawrence Liew.
Hamzah said that so far, the ministry has not received any complaint of food trucks for pricing their fares at exorbitant prices.
However, he urged consumers to channel such information to the ministry should such it occurs.
Hamzah said the ministry plans to collaborate with Malaysian fast food companies such as Marrybrown to venture into the food truck business.
"The company operates through a central kitchen method which helps with the affordability and sustainability of food products.
"And we need to make sure such food is manufactured and served based on the best practices in food handling and hygiene," he said.
The Johor-based halal fast food company currently operates 450 outlets in 18 countries worldwide, and this includes 150 outlets in Malaysia.
About 80 per cent of the Marrybrown outlets in Malaysia are operated under its master franchisee, while the remaining 20 per cent are operated by the company itself. All of its foreign outlets are operated under its master franchisee.
Hamzah said the government was optimistic that the Malaysia's franchise industry would continue to grow due to the encouraging response for home-grown products received from consumers globally.
"There are currently 65 Malaysian brands which are marketed in 4,271 outlets in 66 countries around the world.
"These are not merely food products, but also apparel, educational and sports products, toys and others.
"We should be proud because Malaysian products are well-accepted internationally," said Hamzah.