KUANTAN: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry is in constant talks with various ministries and stakeholders to expand the Menu Rahmah initiative to all segments of the society, especially the less fortunate.
Its deputy minister Fuziah Salleh said the Higher Education Ministry had agreed to implement the Menu Rahmah programme at cafes and food courts in higher learning institutions while the Works Ministry would implement the programme at PLUS Expressway Rest Service (R&R) areas.
"Both the ministries will help cater the programme for students and highway users. The ministry is engaging the Kopitiam Owners Association to join the initiative while more fast food outlets are expected to emulate Burger King in unveiling their own Menu Rahmah.
"The ministry is grateful for the strong support and has been continuously engaging with the relevant stakeholders to get more quarters to be part of the initiative before Ramadan. We will continue engaging the entrepreneurs who are keen to be part of the initiative," she told reporters after launching Pahang's Menu Rahmah initiative at Restaurant Taj here today.
Fuziah said several fast food chains had expressed interest and were in the midst of talks with the ministry to introduce the initiative.
On Feb 3, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said discussions were held between his ministry and the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to expand Menu Rahmah at universities while yesterday Works minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi was quoted saying PLUS Expressway R&R would join the programme soon.
Meanwhile Fuziah said there were plans by the ministry to introduce the initiative at Ramadan bazaars during the fasting month including efforts to prevent food wastage.
"There are some plans which will be unveiled next week. Since there is food wastage at hotels and bazaars, we are discussing suitable measures to reduce it," she said.
Meanwhile, the public can visit https://menurahmah.kpdn.gov.my/ to obtain the list of food outlets participating in the Menu Rahmah initiative.
"To date, we have 512 outlets registered in the country and 18 outlets in Pahang. The number of participating outlets will be expanded in stages," she said.
Menu Rahmah, launched on Jan 31, is an initiative by the ministry with the cooperation of participating outlets to serve lunch or dinner sets at the recommended price of RM5.