Operators: '1Malaysia' menu in Dewan our own initiative

The move to implement the ‘1Malaysia’ food and beverages menu in the Dewan Rakyat is its own initiative, said cafe operators, denying the food cost is overpriced.

The menu is priced at RM2 for breakfast meals, with a choice of four different items including all-time Malaysian favourite nasi lemakserved with teh ‘o’ (tea).

Lunch items are priced at RM4 for one dish, from a choice of chicken, beef or fish accompanied by rice, vegetables and a glass of cordial, which normally ranges between RM5 to RM10.

The affordable items are arranged at another corner of the cafe, to avoid confusion, and ulam (Malay-styled salad dish) is available at no extra cost.

Kitchen assistants, who declined to be named, said that the menu was introduced during the last leg of the Senate at the end of May.

According to them, the proposal came from the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry as an alternative to the variety currently offered.

The programme, launched on July 7 last year to tackle the rising cost of living, was introduced in the Budget.

Under the programme, participating restaurants have to provide low-cost breakfast and lunch endorsed by the ministry.

Restaurant owners may decide on their own meals and prices so long as they do not exceed the set price ceiling of RM4.

The menu is now being offered at over 1,000 participating restaurants, and this is estimated to expand to 3,000 this year.