KUALA LUMPUR – Mamak restaurant operators are maintaining their food prices at the usual rates despite a 3 sen reduction in egg prices.
Speaking to Scoop, the Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma) president, Datuk Jawahar Ali Taib Khan, said that the prices of menu items, including egg-based dishes, cannot be reduced as the prices of other raw materials are still increasing.
“If we were to reduce food prices just because egg prices have dropped by 3 sen at our restaurants, it still wouldn’t be feasible as we still have to absorb other rising costs of goods at this time.
“The issue now is not about reducing food prices but maintaining the current prices to avoid any increases, which is more important.
“We do not want to burden consumers as everyone is affected now – not only the B40 group but also the M40 group – following the recent rise in diesel prices.
“Logically, logistics costs will increase, but we do not want to be pessimistic.
“We try to maintain the current prices and ensure there are no increases in the near or long term as much as possible,” he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently announced that the retail prices of grade A, B, and C eggs across the country have been reduced by 3 sen each, effective last Monday.
He said that this reduction is in line with efforts to return the savings from subsidy targeting to the people.
Jawahar expressed hope that the government would consider reducing the prices of basic goods so that the benefits could be passed on to the people.
“Our concern at the moment is the logistic costs of vehicles transporting raw materials to restaurants following the targeting of diesel subsidies.
“The reduction in the prices of basic goods could indirectly help reduce the costs for operators and benefit customers by allowing them to pay lower prices for food,” he said.
He also hoped that restaurant operators could find ways to avoid raising food prices despite facing increases in the supply of raw materials. – June 22, 2024