Food premises offering Menu Rahmah to double in March, says minister

The number of premises offering Menu Rahmah meals is expected to double in March from over 700 food stalls and restaurants nationwide at present, says Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Salahuddin Ayub.

"We expect to see a two-fold increase in the figure, including through the participation of fast food chains," he told reporters in Putrajaya today.

Menu Rahmah is a voluntary programme launched by the domestic trade and cost of living ministry through which meals are offered for RM5 and below. 

Salahuddin said to date, the ministry had received no reports saying that the food offered through the initiative was of low quality or not nutritious.
 
"From the very beginning, industry players were involved in the engagement sessions regarding the menu preparation. They were not forced but volunteered to help the people by providing quality meals," he said, adding that the number of participating customers was also increasing.

Salahuddin said the next step would be to meet with industry players in the food manufacturing sector in a bid to reduce the burden of food stall operators offering Menu Rahmah.

Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi, who was with him, said some 215 stalls at R&R areas along highways had offered Menu Rahmah meals to date, with an additional 100 stalls expected to join the initiative next month.

He said the first phase of the initiative was introduced to North-South Expressway users on Feb 23 at several R&R areas and lay-bys in the central region.

The second and third phases will be implemented next month involving the southern region of NSE and the East Coast Expressway 2, he said.