Where's Menu Rahmah one year after Salahuddin's passing?

On the first anniversary of the passing of former minister Salahuddin Ayub, questions are being asked about the impact of one of his legacies - the “Menu Rahmah” - a nutritious, affordable meal priced at just RM5.

Salahuddin’s successor as domestic trade and cost of living minister Armizan Mohd Ali told Malaysiakini that at least 2,270 food outlets, including stall owners, fast food operators, and food trucks, are still serving the affordable menu nationwide. 

However, he admitted that vendors faced difficulties despite their noble intentions due to increasing business operation and production costs.

“Therefore, on Nov 2, 2023, the ministry intervened by launching the Special Discount Card initiative for Menu Rahmah specifically for Menu Rahmah operators.

“Through this initiative, Menu Rahmah operators can obtain special price discount offers for basic business goods at selected supermarkets, namely Lotus’s, Mydin, Aeon Big, NSK, Segi Fresh, Giant, and Econsave supermarkets,” said Armizan.

Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Armizan Mohd Ali

He added that more than 5,000 types of materials are available in the aforementioned supermarkets with special discounts averaging up to 40 percent.

Lack of awareness

This April, Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah Salleh said the decline in food operators offering Menu Rahmah was due to low awareness among businesses, adding that the discount card would help ensure they did not have to incur a loss when offering the menu.

In an era of escalating living costs, Salahuddin’s Menu Rahmah emerged as a beacon of the Madani government’s initiatives to help the B40 community, resonating with Malaysians from mango farmers in Kangar, Perlis, to the bustling street of Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, to fisherfolk in Semporna, Sabah.

Despite the challenges, Armizan said the ministry would continue upholding the late Salahuddin’s aspirations, which serve as a foundation for measures to safeguard food affordability.

The late Salahuddin Ayub promoting the Menu Rahmah initiative

Today Amanah president Mohamad Sabu wrote a heartfelt tribute on X, calling Salahuddin as the “father of rahmah” (father of mercy).

“The services and devotions that have been poured out (by Salahuddin) mean a lot to Malaysians. May his soul be placed among the believers,” he said. - Mkini