KUANTAN: A man from Balok found himself forking out an astonishing RM85 for a meal that included three plates of rice, a bowl of tom yam, a fried egg, kangkung belacan, and three beverages during a recent excursion to Cameron Highlands, accompanied by two companions.
This excessive expenditure left him no choice but to express his discontent on social media.
He lamented that the overall cost of his visit to Cameron Highlands had soared to alarming heights, compelling him to truncate his planned four-day, three-night vacation to a more economical three-day expedition.
Sharing his experience in a TikTok video, he alleged the food price varied depending on the day and was surprised to find the Roti John, which he bought for RM9 on Friday, was sold at RM12 the following day at the same outlet.
"On Saturday, I had tom yam for dinner. I ordered three plates of rice, one tom yam, one fried egg, and fried kangkung belacan which cost around RM85.... along with one fresh orange, one cup of hot tea and one lime tea. Everything cost more than RM80, and I was in disbelief.
"The homestay I stayed in was advertised on TikTok. The price was RM220 per night, but when I reached there, the price was RM280. The person (owner) said there is another price for Fridays and Saturdays. I planned to return on Monday but decided to leave on Sunday morning.
"I spent RM1,470 during my stay on Friday and Saturday. I did not buy anything except for a few strawberries and one T-shirt. The rest was only spent on meals and homestay. Early last year, it cost me some RM600 for two days at the same location," he said.
The man said where he is from; one could get two `siakap (fish dishes)' for RM85, not tom yam and fried egg.
"In Kuantan or Balok, you can get two `siakap' for three people to eat at RM85, but in Cameron, only tom yam, fried egg, fried `kangkun'g, rice and drinks....it is insane," he said, vowing never to set foot in Cameron Highlands again.
He urged business operators in Cameron Highlands to refrain from taking advantage by imposing high prices on outsiders.
"It is true outsiders come there to spend their money, but this does not mean the people in Cameron can 'sakau' (stealing) by not setting a fixed price. I am sure that I am not the only one who had such an experience, but just that the others never raised it on social media," he said.
Although the man has since deleted the video and changed his TikTok account handle, the video can still be viewed on YouTube.
Meanwhile, State Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Sim Chon Siang said officers from the Pahang Domestic Trade and Living Cost Ministry's office had visited five food outlets at Brinchang at the highlands after receiving reports about the alleged viral video.
"Investigations revealed all the outlets provide menus, and the prices of meals and drinks sold at the respective premises were listed in the menus. The officers are in the midst of gathering further information on the alleged price increase.
"To prevent unfair pricing in the future, customers can check the price on the menus before making their orders. If the food operator does not display the price list, customers can complain to the ministry's office," he said.
Meanwhile, Pahang Unity, Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Leong Yu Man is yet to respond to the matter.