Eating at Mamak Restaurant is Expensive
At this moment, there will be no price increase as the suppliers of foodstuff and ingredients has not raise it.
I am sure the price will increase very soon due to the Domino Effect.
Eating at your friendly “Mamak” restaurant is also not an cheap affair today.
I just take ice lemon drink and “kampung” fried rice which total cost RM6.50.
The fried rice do not have even have any chicken on it also cost RM5.00!
I think if the fried rice with fried chicken will cost RM7.00-RM9.00!
How much profit they made?
It is cheaper to eating at fast food restaurant that running a promotion.
Read more on fast food at I Love McDonald Weekday Breakfast Special
.
Opposition Senators: Price Hike Reasons Laughable
.
Opposition senators found the reasons for the recent price hike in essential goods “laughable”.
“What ever we may call it, the fact is, prices have gone up,” said PKR Senator Syed Husin Ali.
One of the reasons cited for the cut in sugar price subsidy – health concerns – was mocked by him.
.
.
5 sen hike is no big deal
.
No one seems to be batting an eyelid over the recent 5 sen hike in petrol prices and the reduction of the subsidy for sugar …
.
.
No price increase for roti canai and teh tarik – for the time being
.
KUALA LUMPUR: Despite the revision in the prices of sugar and fuel due to subsidy cuts, members of the Muslim Restaurant Operators Association of Malaysia (Presma) will not raise the prices of food and drinks.
“I have advised our members to retain the prices for the time being but if suppliers raise the prices of foodstuff and ingredients, then we may have to increase our prices,” Presma president Noorul Hassan Saul Hameed told Bernama.
This means the prices of items like roti canai and teh tarik will remain for a while.
He said depending on locations and ingredients, teh tarik costs between 80 sen and RM1.50 a glass, a piece of roti canai between 80 sen and RM1 and fried mee between RM3 and RM5 a plate.
Asked whether the prices of items with less sugar content would be reduced, he said the association would study the mechanism.
The matter was recently discussed with the Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Ministry, he added.
“It may take some time as we need to get the views of our members on the matter,” said Noorul Hassan. Presma has about 1,300 members.
fr:thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/17/nation/20100717155150&sec=nation
Prices as usual at mamak shops
KUALA LUMPUR: It’s business as usual at mamak restaurants without any change in price.
The Muslim Restaurant Operators Association of Malaysia (Presma) said its members will not raise the prices of food and drinks despite the revision in the prices of sugar and fuel due to subsidy cuts.
“I have advised our members to retain the prices for the time being but if suppliers raise the prices of foodstuff and ingredients, then we may have to increase our prices,” Presma president Noorul Hassan Saul Hameed told Bernama.
This means the prices of items like roti canai and teh tarik will remain for a while.
He said that depending on location and ingredients, teh tarik costs between 80 sen and RM1.50 a glass, a piece of roti canai between 80 sen and RM1 and fried mee between RM3 and RM5 a plate.
Asked whether the prices of drinks with less sugar content would be reduced, he said the association would study the mechanism.
Meanwhile, Federation of Malaysia Hawkers Association president Lee Teong Chwee said a price hike in hawker food was unavoidable, as prices of ingredients and operating costs had increased.
Besides fuel, sugar and liquefied petroleum gas, Lee said the prices of vegetables, pork and chicken had also increased in the past few months.
The Federation of Chinese Associations of Malaysia said the Government should ensure that savings from subsidy cuts were be used for plans and programmes to benefit the people.
Its president Tan Sri Pheng Yin Huah also urged the Government to look into the needs of the lower and middle-income earners.
“The Government should ensure the people do not suffer from the subsidy cuts,” he said
He also said that it should also come out with incentives for entrepreneurs and businessmen affected by the subsidy cuts.
Consumer Raj Kamar, 42, from Gemas said he was shocked to find that his favourite teh tarik now cost 20 sen more after the Government announced the subsidy cuts on Thursday.
Another consumer Jenny Goh, 33, said the Government should check on stall operators who increased their price excessively.
“I understand that their operating costs have gone up due to the subsidies cut.
“But it is unacceptable if there is a 20-sen increase on a cup of coffee just because the price of sugar went up by 25 sen a kilo,” she said.
fr:thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/18/nation/6689082&sec=nation
Food, drinks prices to remain stable: Ismail Sabri
By MAZWIN NIK ANIS
PUTRAJAYA: Drinks, kuihs and other food items will remain “sweet” in taste and its prices as some 500,000 restaurant, coffeeshop and foodstall operators and manufacturers have agreed to maintain charges despite recent sugar price increase.
The pledge was made by more than 30 associations whose members – despite being affected by the 25sen per kilo increase after the government’s decision to cut subsidies – were willing to absorb the hike instead of passing it to consumers.
Among associations that have agreed to maintain the prices were the Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association (Primas), the Malaysian Indian Muslim Restaurant Operators Association (Presma), Malaysia-Singapore Coffee Shop Propritors General Association and the Malay Traders and Petty Traders Association.
Domestic Trade, Consumerism and Co-operatives Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri said food operators understood the government’s rationale in restructuring subsidies which had resulted in an increase in the prices of sugar and petrol.
“As a sign of support and understanding, they have agreed not to increase the prices of food and drinks and absorb the higher cost of sugar instead.
“Furthermore, the increase is small and they can afford not to pass it to consumers.
“The same pledge is also given by large food and drinks manufacturers. I would like to thank all concerned for their support. This news will certainly be of relief to consumers who are concerned they need to pay more for food and drinks,” he told reporters after a dialogue with food and drinks operators and manufacturers on Monday.
Ismail Sabri said according to a study made on prices of prepared foods following subsidy rationalisation, the increase were only between 0.2% and 2%, citing an example where the price of fried mee, instead of costing RM4 per plate would now cost RM4.01 or 0.3% higher while teh tarik cost one sen more or RM1.21 while Air Sirap Bandung cost two sen more at RM1.52.
The minister hope that the respective associations would relay the message to their members, adding the ministry’s enforcement team would also monitor should there be an increase.
“While we may not be able to take action against those who increase the prices, we will nevertheless advice them, because they will be at the losing end if they do so as consumers will certainly opt for shops which offer reasonably-priced food items,” he said.
fr:thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/19/nation/20100719154953&sec=nation
Hawkers: No price rise if suppliers do the same
PETALING JAYA: Hawkers and petty traders have assured the people that prices of food and beverages will not be increased as long as suppliers do not make the raw ingredients more expensive.
The Coalition of Petty Traders and Hawkers Malaysia secretary Toh Lai Huat said its members would bear the increased cost in sugar but would have to consider raising prices if those of other raw materials went up.
The Muslim Restaurant Operators Association of Malaysia said its members could afford to absorb the 25 sen increase for per kilo of sugar as the amount used did not substantially eat into their profit.
Its president Noorul Hassan Saul Hameed said: “We will maintain our prices as long as our suppliers do not increase theirs,” he said, adding that the association planned to educate its members to minimise their operational costs and reduce wastage.
fr:thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/20/nation/6698218&sec=nation
500,000 food outlet operators agree to absorb costs
By MAZWIN NIK ANIS
PUTRAJAYA: Some 500,000 restaurant, coffeeshop and foodstall operators have agreed to maintain the prices of their food and drinks despite the recent subsidy rationalisation that made sugar more expensive.
The pledge was made by more than 30 associations, whose members said they were willing to absorb the price increase instead of passing it to their customers.
However, many consumers are already complaining that some food outlets have increased food and beverage prices.
The associations agreeing to maintain prices include the Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners’ Association (Primas), the Malaysian Indian Muslim Restaurant Operators’ Association (Presma), the Malaysia-Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors’ General Association and the Malay Traders’ and Petty Traders’ Association.
Domestic Trade, Consumerism and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri said food operators understood the Government’s rationale in restructuring subsidies, which resulted in an increase in the prices of sugar, petrol, diesel and liquefied petroleum gas.
“As a sign of support and understanding, they have agreed not to increase the prices of food and drinks and to absorb the higher cost of sugar instead. Besides, the increase is small and they can afford to not pass it to consumers.
“The same pledge is also given by large food and drinks manufacturers. I would like to thank all concerned for their support.
“This news will certainly bring relief to consumers who are concerned they would now need to pay more for food and drinks,” he told reporters after a dialogue with food and drinks operators and manufacturers yesterday.
The Government recently cut subisidies, increasing the price of sugar by 25 sen per kilogramme.
Ismail Sabri said a study on prices of prepared foods following the subsidy rationalisation found the price increase to be between only 0.2% and 2%.
He noted that the price of fried mee would now cost RM4.01, or 0.3% higher from RM4 per plate, while teh tarik would cost one sen more at RM1.21 and air sirap bandung two sen more at RM1.52.
Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners’ Association president Datuk R. Ramalingam Pillai said the association’s 1,300 members operating some 5,000 restaurants nationwide had agreed to make “a sacrifice”, adding that although the decision to not increase the prices of food and drinks would eat into their profits, it would not result in losses.
“The increase is nominal. What is important is that the new prices will not create any shortage or hoarding,” he said.
“We can be assured of supply. We are thankful to be living in a blessed country and are willing to work closely with the Government.”
Malay Traders’ and Petty Traders’ Association deputy president Datuk Mohamed Mahmood said its 400,000 members knew that the increase in sugar price was inevitable, but had expected it to come after Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
In GEORGE TOWN, state Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Affairs enforcement director M. Guna Selan said no formal complaint about traders raising prices at coffeeshops here had been reported.
fr:thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/20/nation/6693603&sec=nation
Higher inflation seen in second half
By IZWAN IDRIS
Economists expect strong ringgit, trade figures to moderate CPI rise
PETALING JAYA: Subsidy cuts will drive consumer prices higher in the second half of the year, but the rise in inflation will be countered by the strong ringgit and positive trade figures, economists said.
But there are doubts about the stuttering global economic growth that could limit demand for exports. This, some economists said, might prompt policymakers to delay further interest-rate hikes, until they could ascertain the impact of costlier fuel on domestic demand.
“We feel that raising interest rate at this time will add to costs and fuel inflationary pressures in an enviroment of cost-driven inflation,’’ CIMB Research said in a note yesterday.
On Wednesday, official numbers showed the Malaysian consumer price index (CPI) rose 1.7% in June compared to a year ago, led by higher food prices.
The Government raised fuel and sugar prices from July 16.
Petrol, diesel, and liquid petroleum gas (LPG) have a combined 7.8% weightage in the overall CPI basket, while sugar accounted for 0.3%.
Most economists believed the direct impact of the “administrative pricing” to CPI would not be significant, although RHB Research Institute reckoned that the price hikes, together with some spillover effects, would likely push the CPI to 2% in July and accelerate to 2.7% in December.
“For the full year, we expect inflation to trend up to an average of 2% in 2010, compared to 0.6% in 2009,’’ RHB said in a note yesterday.
Official numbers showed Malaysian consumer prices rose 1.4% during the first half of 2010. For the full year, inflation is officially projected to rise by between 2% and 2.5%.
Singapore-based OSK-DMG forecast inflation at around 4% in the second half of the year, largely due to the 2.7% increase in fuel prices.
“We forecast inflationary pressure to rise on this account, but reasonably well-capped in the next six months in view of the moderating growth expectation, front-loaded monetary tightening and stronger ringgit,’’ it said.
Bank Negara had increased interest rates three times since March for a cumulative 75 basis points that lifted the key overnight policy rate to 2.75%.
The rate hikes had been a factor to the ringgit’s 6% appreciation year-to-date to 3.218 against the US dollar yesterday.
The market is split on whether Bank Negara will continue with its stance to “normalise” interest rate this year.
Inter-Pacific Research and OSK-DMG forecast a 60% chance of another 25-basis point hike in September, but CIMB Research expected the rate to stay at the current level for the rest of the year. “Higher interest rates would constrain leveraged household budgets, raise the cost of doing business and slow down growth,’’ CIMB Research said.
fr:biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/23/business/6717203&sec=business
Same price for drinks with less sugar
AN average Malaysian consumes 26 teaspoons of sugar a day — which is equivalent to slightly more than half a cup or about 100gm of sugar a day.
Compare this with the recommended sugar intake of five teaspoons (for adult women), nine teaspoons (for adult men) and three teaspoons (for children) and you’ll see why the number of people suffering from diabetes is on the rise!
This problem certainly has to be addressed immediately before it becomes a financial burden to our developing nation.
I like to applaud the Government for showing its concern over the increasing number of diabetics in the country by organising the “Less sugar intake” campaign.
However, it will certainly be helpful if unsweetened drinks are made more easily available and affordable.
Allow me to suggest one other step the Government could take: reducing the prices of “kurang manis” (unsweetened) drinks in mamak and hawker stalls.
I’m a loyal patron of mamak stalls and roadside hawkers.
What disappointed me recently is the increase in the price of drinks in response to the rise in sugar prices — even if I order teh kurang manis (tea with less sugar) and Milo ais “kosong” (plain Milo).
These drinks need no sugar, so why charge extra?
Isn’t the increase in prices of drinks an indication of the amount of sugar used in that one cup of tea?
There will be no damage done in charging patrons less for less sugar, right?
ELPC,
Kuala Lumpur.
fr:thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/27/focus/6733359&sec=focus
Subsidy cuts: Bittersweet reactions nationwide
KUALA LUMPUR: It was business as usual for many after the government announced subsidy cuts for petrol, diesel, gas and sugar.
Supermarkets reported no rush for sugar last night although there were queues at petrol stations as vehicle owners filled up their tanks before the new prices took effect at midnight.
Supermarkets have put up signs indicating the new price of sugar.
In Brickfields, a Sri Kota Supermarket manager, who wanted to be known as Lee, said it was too early to gauge the effects of the sugar price increase. He said it was “business as usual for us” and there was no rush to buy the commodity.
A supplier, Choo Kum Weng, said the increase in sugar price was a good move because it would reduce consumption.
A fact sheet on subsidy rationalisation from the Prime Minister’s Department stated that the low cost of sugar had led to over-consumption.
From 1996 to 2006, it contributed to a 105 per cent increase in the number of Malaysians who were obese, which stands at more than 40 per cent of the population now.
Malaysia is also looking at a five per cent increase in diabetic cases every year.
S. Krishnakumar, the director of Venusitas Cake House for almost five years, had a different opinion.
“Humans are very individualistic and we have different preferences.”
Specialising in traditional Indian sweets, cookies and cakes, the 48-year-old said he always reduced the amount of sugar in his products.
“Even then, some customers still say they are very sweet.”
Krishnakumar added that the management did not plan to raise the prices of its products because most of its customers comprised the lower- to middle-income groups.
Some hawkers were also not happy with the new prices.
Hoo Seng Kam felt that raising the price of cooking gas was not a wise move for hawkers who barely make RM50 a day.
“Prices of daily goods go up every now and then but salaries remain stagnant,” he said.
The 64-year-old hawker has been selling char kuey teow in Brickfields for more than 30 years and has no plans to increase his price unless there is a major price hike.
In George Town, hawkers said they were in a dilemma, fearing the possibility of losing customers if they raised prices too soon.
Lee Seng Seng, 54, who sells char kuey teow, fried rice and fried oyster at New World Park, said the only way to keep his customers was to maintain current prices.
At the Siin Se Kai coffee shop on Lorong Swatow, which is famous for its ais kacang, prices of drinks would remain for the time being, said the owner’s daughter Lim Pei Hoon, 30.
Lim, who is frustrated with the subsidy reductions, said her family business was bracing for a wave of price hikes in raw materials.
Items like condensed milk, canned corn, peanuts, ice and even straws would cost more.
Penang School Bus Association chairman Loh Choon Beng said parents could expect their children’s school bus fare to remain the same for the rest of the year.
He said the fares would be maintained as school bus drivers still enjoyed a diesel subsidy of RM1.43 per litre from the Federal Government.
With food prices and cost of living going up gradually, P. Murugiah of the Malaysian Hindu Sangam Penang branch proposed that the government should introduce a ration card system.
“This system is successfully implemented in India and many third world countries. It can help the poor in our country.”
In Alor Star, it was a “wait and see” approach for eateries and hawkers as they maintained their old prices.
A drinks hawker, Sudin Ali, 63, said he was hesitant about increasing the price of his drinks, especially teh tarik and kopi tarik.
“I would definitely have to raise the prices if my suppliers start raising theirs. However, I hope the prices of creamer, tea and coffee would not be raised sharply,” he said.
He said the 25 sen increase in the price of sugar can be negligible for households, but restaurants and hawkers have to spend more since they buy in large quantities.
fr:nst.com.my/nst/articles/12hik/Article/
Restaurants gear up for EPL season
By RACHAEL KAM
PETALING JAYA: With the EPL season starting soon, many mamak outlets and kopitiam are confident that footie fans will once again fill the tables left out in the cold after the 2010 FIFA World Cup ended.
Big projectors are being prepped up for work again and closing time will be stretched to the wee hours once more.
Kopitiam Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd business development senior manager Dawn Liew said some of its chain of Old Town White Coffee outlets extended business hours till early in the morning during the World Cup season.
“Some outlets now are maintaining their extended hours till 3am or 4am,” she said.
However, Liew said extended business hours during the EPL season would depend on customer demand.
Original Penang Kayu Nasi Kandar managing director Burhan Mohamed said there were smaller crowds at his 24-hour restaurants after the World Cup ended.
He said he missed the crowds because business was good, especially during the week before the World Cup final.
“But I believe the crowds will return when the EPL season begins,” he said.
Station One cafe creative team head Teh Chan Thye said its Station One Football Friendzy Carnival held on July 11 at Bukit Tinggi, Klang, attracted 3,000 people for the World Cup final which was shown on a giant screen.
“Business was good during the World Cup with our promotion activities,” he said, adding that 10 of its outlets stayed open till 5am.
As for the EPL season, he said the cafe was not planning to extend business hours beyond its 2am closing time.
Forum 19 food court manager William Phang said it would rope in sponsors to organise futsal tournaments and Q&A contests with prizes such as jerseys and caps during the EPL season.
fr:thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/30/nation/6753887&sec=nation
next time if you patron restrnt mamak do not order briani rice ,now it cost rm10.00 at least ,once in 2 mth eat ok lah, also if you eat normal rice and vegi only will cost at least rm5.00 ,nasi lemak biasa rm3.50 alrdy now ..roti telur is rm2.30 ,if you go to popular well known mamak you will be charge much more!! how to sustain with this type of hike for the average joe malaysian? lu pikir lah sendiri!