KUALA LUMPUR: As diners packed a Mamak restaurant in Kelana Jaya in conjunction with Federal Territory Day today, they had a pleasant surprise when Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad joined them for breakfast.
Arriving at 9.30am with Human Voyage (M) Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Malik Mydin, the Prime Minister then tucked into his simple order of a single piece of Tosai and Kopi ‘C’ with relish.
The presence of Dr Mahathir was quickly noticed by the other patrons at Restoran Jamal Mohamed, who then tried to have their picture taken with the country’s seventh prime minister.
This was relayed by the restaurant’s owner, Mohamed Suldan Jamal Mohamed, who felt proud and happy to be able for his eatery to serve breakfast dishes to Dr Mahathir.
“This is the first time that Dr Mahathir dropped by the restaurant. He and Datuk Malik Mydin each ordered a piece of tosai and Kopi ‘C’.
“Then they ordered a single roti canai kosong, which were shared between the two of them.
“Dr Mahathir looked quite satisfied with his meal, especially half of the roti canai which he dipped into dhal curry,” said the 46-year-old entrepreneur today.
Mohamed Suldan noted that Dr Mahathir and Malik looked relaxed as they chatted while eating at the restaurant for 45 minutes.
He recalled that Dr Mahathir looked very at ease in his safari shirt and casual shoes, in line with the Federal Territory Day holiday, which fell on Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur, among other places.
“After having wrapped up the meal around 10.15am, Dr Mahathir graciously took pictures with several patrons at the restaurant.
“A long queue actually formed as his bodyguards helped manage the large number of people wanting to have a picture with the Prime Minister.
“It took around 15 minutes before Dr Mahathir has finished taking pictures with the restaurant patrons and he got into a red Proton Iriz with Datuk Malik,” Mohamed Suldan said.
He mused that perhaps Dr Mahathir’s surprise visit to the restaurant is a harbinger of ‘ong’ (luck), in line with the Chinese New Year celebration which is just around the corner.
“I feel happy and proud (to have been able to serve breakfast to Dr Mahathir). With the (Chinese) New Year coming soon and today being a Friday (Federal Territory Day holiday), I feel like this year will be a good one (for business and life in general).
“He took the time to come all the way here to have breakfast. Perhaps it is like ‘ong’”, he said, adding that the restaurant specialized in Indian Muslim cuisine like nasi biryani, roti canai, and chapati, as well as a dash of Chinese and Malay style dishes.
Having run the restaurant since 2002, Mohamed Suldan noted that the meal altogether cost Dr Mahathir and Malik a grand total of RM8.50.
“Dr Mahathir does not like to eat much as he take pains to look after his health,” mused Mohamed Suldan.