'Reasonable' to offer Menu Rahmah at Parliament cafe - Fahmi

 

The government will consider an arrangement for Parliament’s cafeteria to offer affordable meals as part of its Menu Rahmah programme, said Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil after a media engagement today.

While noting that the matter was out of his jurisdiction, Fahmi (above, centre), who responded to feedback from media practitioners covering parliamentary proceedings, said it was a reasonable request that should be looked into. 

“There were requests from the media for the Menu Rahmah programme to be expanded to Parliament. 

“So, I see the need for that,” said Fahmi during a press conference in Parliament, accompanied by Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching and Broadcasting director-general Suhaimi Sulaiman.

Parliament’s cafeteria is run by Riverside Cafe, which also operates from the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre that houses Umno’s headquarters, and serves a majority of visitors to Parliament, media, staff, and also lawmakers.

“I remember as a backbencher and also a member of the opposition, many of us saw Parliament as a place for the people. 

“But if the prices are not ‘people friendly’, it could impact them.

“So, we will see what we can do to expand the Menu Rahmah programme to Parliament,” he said.

Currently, an ordinary-sized curry puff at the cafe costs RM1 while a basic pack of nasi lemak costs RM4.

The government launched the Menu Rahmah initiative in January in a bid to reduce living costs. Under the initiative, people can buy meals at participating eateries at RM5 and below, comprising rice, chicken or fish, and vegetables with plain water. - Mkini