Recently, the government introduced a new initiative, Menu Rahmah, at over 15,000 restaurants that serve super affordable meals (rice, a serving of vegetables, a serving of meat and a water bottle for just RM5) for B40 community members.
Many celebrated the initiative as one of the new Unity Government’s best measures to keep lower income groups fed. But, everyone needs to eat too, right?
Malaysians have since taken to social media to debate on whether all income groups should be given access to Menu Rahmah as M40 community members have rushed to participating restaurants to benefit from the initiative.
Those who believe that only B40 community members should benefit from Menu Rahman:
“Why are there many M40 community members who are grabbing for Menu Rahmah? Because on the weekends they’ll go eat expensive food with their friends and family, on the weekdays they’ll eat simple food.”
“Because it is feared that those from the M40 and T20 groups may take advantage of this Menu Rahmah. Or can all groups, B40, M40 and T20 enjoy this? If all can, then it doesn’t achieve the target of Menu Rahmah.”
“They need to monitor (to make sure that) Menu Rahmah is only for the B40 group. The M40 and T20 groups must pay the exact price as usual.”
Those who believe that every should be able to benefit from Menu Rahmah, including vendors and sellers:
“The government has prepared the RM5 Menu Rahman for the people, just accept it. There’s no need to complicate the situation by asking how to differentiate B40, M40, T20 and all. Want to eat, buy. Don’t want to eat, order something else or just eat McD.”
“So, I think this Menu Rahmah is said to be for B40 but there’s no enforcement to check if you are B40 or not. It’s like the shopping cart theory isn’t it? You have the right to, and choose to do good because you feel that doing good is the norm in society. Anyway, B40 or M40 or T20, just eat. It’s income for the seller.”
So, what do you think? Should everyone be free to benefit from Menu Rahmah or should this initiative only be for those who really need it?
Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
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