The government is currently developing a mobile app to list the locations of premises that are offering RM5 meals under the new Menu Rahmah initiative. According to the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Salahuddin Ayub, the app will display a directory of food outlets that offer such meals.

Menu Rahmah is a voluntary programme launched by the government on 31 January where restaurant operators offer meals that are RM5 or less to assist the public amid rising costs of living. The initiative involves nearly 15,000 food premises nationwide with the involvement of seven restaurant owner associations, including the Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (PRESMA), the Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association (PRIMAS) and the Malaysian Tomyam Restaurant Owners Association.

menu rahmah klang valley — Image: Salahuddin Ayub/Facebook

Other associations participating in the programme include the Malaysia Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors General Association (MSCSPGA), Bumiputra Retailers Organisation (BRO), Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA), and Malaysia Retailers Association (MRA). Local supermarket chain Mydin is also getting involved, offering RM5 meals in all its branches throughout the Peninsular as well as Sabah and Sarawak.

Salahuddin has stressed that Menu Rahmah is a voluntary programme, meaning that the food outlets are not being forced to participate. He added that it is not costing the government any money because the traders involved are selling the cheap meals at their own cost.

menu rahmah durian — Photo: @lady_bugg11/Twitter

The minister said last week that the RM5 meals will be made available in public higher education institutions (IPTA) after Aildilfitri, with the initial stage rolling out at 20 IPTAs in Klang Valley. He also mentioned that the initiative will be expanded to private higher education institutions (IPTS) eventually, with Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin encouraging private institutions to implement it.

All the restaurants involved are currently promoting their Menu Rahmah meals through their own respective channels, with no central directory to locate all the participating locations. An app to easily find all these locations would certainly help those who could benefit from the programme, with Salahuddin stating that the app will be launched sometime in the near future without giving a specific timeline.

(Source: FMT)