KUANTAN: Food stall operator Noor Salina Samsudin's decision to participate in the Menu Rahmah initiative appears to be working wonders.
Besides enjoying a steady stream of customers to her roadside stall in Cenderawasih here, the 56-year-old, who is believed to be the first in the state capital to join the initiative, has helped put a smile on the faces of the needy and underprivileged.
The mother-of-four has more reasons to be delighted as some well-wishers have provided cash contributions, allowing her to offer free Menu Rahmah dishes.
Noor Salina told NST that her family decided to participate in the Menu Rahmah initiative when it was announced early this week.
"We decided to offer white rice along with chicken paprik or 'ayam goreng kunyit' (turmeric fried chicken). The dish is served with curry or 'sambal belacan' (shrimp paste sauce). The RM5 meal includes a cup of cold syrup drink." She said they started offering 100 plates on Tuesday, and the strong support enabled them to increase to 200 plates yesterday.
"My 36-year-old son, who prepares the meals, suggested that we prepare other dishes next week to provide customers with more choices," she said, adding that her son previously worked as an offshore chef.
Noor Salina, who has been operating the eatery for about 11 years, said her family temporarily removed the Western food and fried dishes from the daily menu and focused only on the Menu Rahmah meals.
She said her children would usually wake up early to buy chicken and vegetables from the wholesale market here.
"The wholesale market usually sells the items at cheaper prices. Since we buy in bulk, we have begun talks with some suppliers, and hopefully we can include dishes made from marine-based food products for Menu Rahmah soon. "We have walk-in customers, some will pack home and we have been receiving Menu Rahmah orders for home food delivery.
"Previously, each dish was sold between RM8 and RM10. Sometimes customers, especially large families, would share the food, but now each person can have a proper meal along with a drink at RM5," she said, adding that they would open at noon and close at 6pm.
Noor Salina said her stall, Aboh Burn Corner, went viral after netizens shared about her Menu Rahmah and customers began inquiring about the menus she offered.
Her daughter, Nurul Suhaila Shamri, 35, said although they might not be able to make a huge profit, the initiative had helped to ease the burden of those who sought to have a proper meal.
"We are among the first to start the Menu Rahmah initiative here and have been receiving a wide range of customers, including students.
"Now, some people have agreed to provide contributions for the suspended meal concept at our stall, which will allow more people to enjoy the meals here."
On Feb 1, the government launched Menu Rahmah at RM5 each to provide the less fortunate with a balanced meal.