Nation

Economy meals to ease food plight

KUALA LUMPUR: Cafeteria operators at public institutions of higher learning are more than willing to alleviate the burden of rising food prices on students by providing economy meals under the Menu Siswa Keluarga Malaysia initiative.

But they hope that students can "meet them halfway" and not complain about the meal choices provided under the initiative as cafeteria owners are doing their best to sustain their businesses.

A varsity cafeteria operator in Sungai Buloh, Norlina Johari, 43, said her cafeteria still offered students complete meals consisting of rice, chicken and vegetables at about RM3.50 even though the cost of living was rising.

"But students complain about the portions and choices we offer. Although we understand that not all students like chicken breast, that is the only part we can offer at a low price.

"We try our best to accommodate students' preferences and offer options that include fish and beef. But we will tell them that these dishes will cost a bit more than chicken."

She said some students went to the cafeteria with the latest mobile phones and expensive coffee, but grumble about food prices.

She said preparing meals costs her RM17,000 a week and she only makes a small profit.

"During lockdowns, we had to survive, so we stayed and sold food to students who were stuck on campus and could not go home. I hope students understand our situation and meet us halfway as I also have bills, rent and workers' salaries to pay."

Cafeteria operator Mohammad Bukhari, 39, said he hoped students would understand the struggles small cafeteria operators in universities were facing.

"Many cafeteria operators are going out of their way to help students in need even though they are barely surviving.

"I am lucky that I own a catering business outside the university, otherwise I am not sure how I can survive."

On the rent moratorium for cafeteria operators announced by the Higher Education Ministry, Bukhari said it would greatly help micro-, small- and medium-scale enterprises like his business.

"We appreciate the measures to help us and we look forward to seeing it come into force."

Earlier this month, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad announced a six-month rent moratorium for food operators at public institutions of higher learning from July.

She said the move aimed to lower costs for campus cafeteria operators to ensure food sold to students remained affordable.

A university cafeteria operator in Serdang, who only wished to be known as Daeng, said no rent moratorium had been announced for cafeteria operators at the university where she operates.

"I have not received any information from the university's management on the rent moratorium. It is unclear.

"We will appreciate any aid or subsidies given to us so that we won't have to fork out so much from our pockets as food prices keep rising."

She hoped the university where she operates will make an announcement on the rent moratorium soon to help cafeteria operators save on costs.

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