To save on daily expenses, it seems like Malaysians will soon have to do less of what they do best – lepak at mamak restaurants.
The Star reports that the prices of some of our Malaysian favourites like teh tarik, roti canai and mee goreng will be 5% to 15% more costly by March this year.
Although the new prices have not been confirmed, Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma) president Noorul Hassan Saul Hameed said that it would depend on the location of the restaurant.
“For example, a cup of teh tarik at a restaurant at the suburbs or in rural areas costs RM1, but it would be more expensive at a restaurant in Bangsar.
“The proposed price list will take this into account,” he said.
Noorul Hassan said that the increase was necessary as association members had been absorbing price hikes in fuel and sugar since the year 2009 and had been selling “subsidised” drinks and food.
“Compared to the costs that we have been absorbing, the planned price increase is minimal,” he said, adding that the mamak restaurants and stalls would raise prices after Presma goes on a month-long roadshow in February to brief the owners and members on the “new price list”.
“The last time there was an increase was when there was a sharp rise in fuel costs in 2009.
“Since then, we have been absorbing the increases in costs due to fuel and sugar subsidy cuts,” said Noorul Hassan, adding there was no price increase in drinks and food last year despite several sugar subsidy cuts by the Government.
Permim president Datuk Dr Syed Ebrahim Mohd Ismail said Presma, an associate member of the federation,had previously given assurance, stating that they would maintain the current prices of food and drinks despite the hike in fuel and sugar costs, but they could only do so “for as long as possible”.
Earlier in January, The Star also reported that hawker food prices in Penang and Klang Valley have already been raised up by 50 sen.
Although they might reduce their visits to mamak restaurants, we honestly don’t think that the price hike in mamak food would stop Malaysians from flooding these eateries. Which true blue Malaysian would say no to mamak food anyway?
[Source]
