We never thought mamak restaurants could exist without classic dishes such as roti canai on the menu!
In a report by The Star, mamak restaurants nationwide have been experiencing an alarming shortage of workers and have resorted to “self-service”.
Sadly, the shortage of workers has gotten so bad that some restaurants have had to stop selling tandoori, roti canai, thosai, and chapati!
The shortage has even affected one of Subang Jaya’s most famous mamak joints, Sri Nirwana Maju Restaurant.
The popular restaurant chain has apparently put up a sign informing customers that they are no longer serving roti canai, thosai, and chapati.
An employee said that each outlet needs about 30 workers, but they are only operating with 15 to 17 workers per outlet. This was why they had to pull some items off their menu. Why roti canai tho?!
The Malaysian Indian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma) have claimed that about 10 per cent of its members have implemented “self-service”, where customers have to get their own dishes.
“Although self-service is helpful, it does not resolve the issue of worker shortage. We still need workers to clean up and prepare the food,” said Presma president Ayoob Khan Muhamad Yakub.
However, the authentic nasi kandar restaurants have yet to implement “self-service” for now.
“At nasi kandar restaurants, we mix the curries for the customer as that is one of the main attractions.”
Wow, we had no idea things were getting so bad for mamak restaurants! What will we do without roti canai?!
Also read: Comparison Shows Mamak Restaurants are Still Selling Their Food at Reasonable Prices