LANGKAWI: Restoran Terapung Sas Rimba, which made headlines recently after a customer complained of being charged more than RM1,000 for a 'siakap' (barramundi) dish, doesn't seem to have been severely affected by the adverse publicity.
Checks by Berita Harian showed the eight-year-old eatery, located in the Kilim Geoforest Park, continued to be thronged by customers keen to have a meal after touring the nearby mangrove swamps.
Restaurant owner Norasyikin Musa said despite the controversy on social media, it has largely been business as usual.
"Alhamdulillah (Thank God), I'm grateful and I believe all blessings come from Allah. I can't actually say I'm 'thankful' to the complainant for making my shop go viral as I'm disappointed with his attitude.
"I respect all my customers, which is why I always check their orders with them as I don't want them to have a disappointing dining experience here," she said when met at the restaurant.
Norasyikin said no one is perfect, and that she was grateful for the continuous support shown by customers despite the bad press on social media.
Meanwhile, Berita Harian also spoke to some customers who said while they were aware of the restaurant's controversy, they had no issue with dining there.
Nadirah Mohd Radoan from Seri Kembangan, Selangor, said she had taken a look at the menu as well as checked the prices before placing her order.
"I was told by the boat driver about this restaurant having gone viral. However, it didn't put me off as the prices were already clearly stated in the menu.
"As customers, we're able to choose what we want. After all, we know best what we can afford or otherwise," said the 31-year-old, who had just completed her tour of the mangrove swamps.
Norhafidza Idayu Azman, from Batu Gajah, Perak, said it was only after she had ordered her food that she realised that the restaurant was the one which had gone viral.
"The prices are clearly stated in the menu so I just ordered what I'm comfortable with paying for.
"The price stated for seafood at this restaurant is for every 100 grams. If customers are not careful, they may mistakenly think that the price is for each kilogramme and could be very surprised when the bill comes," said the 29-year-old, who visited the eatery with her family.