MELAKA: A trader is selling lemang at RM10 a tube near the Rembia roadside here despite the increase in prices of glutinous rice and other raw ingredients.
Azroy Mohd Akip, 31, said he realised the difficulties people faced in the current economic climate and decided to sell the traditional Raya must-have at a price lower than the market price of RM12 to RM22 per tube.
He said most customers who dropped by his stall were surprised that the lemang was cheaper than in other places, especially in Melaka city.
"Even though the price of glutinous rice has increased, I can still sustain the lemang price at RM10 because I do not incur cost for coconut milk.
"I own a coconut farm and this helps reduce the cost of coconut milk, which has also increased
"I also have bamboo trees so I don't have to buy bamboo," said the lorry driver.
Azroy added that although the profit from selling lemang was relatively low, he saw this as charity that could help his customers use their money to buy other necessities.
He said sales had been brisk over the last three days, including online, and he was expecting the lemang to be sold out by the eve of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Azroy, who has been selling lemang for more than five years, took leave from work to run the business, assisted by his wife, three children and a worker.
He said he was grateful to his parents for his lemang-making skills as he could now generate an income while ensuring the supply of lemang during the festive season.
Yahaya Ibrahim, 63, one of Azroy's customers, said it was difficult to find lemang at RM10 a tube due to current prices.
The restaurant owner said traders were forced to increase the prices of food containing glutinous rice to cover its increase to RM50-RM65 per 10kg from RM40-RM55 last year.