‘Kedai Man RM1', a food stall in Simpang Tiga, Kuala Kurau in Parit Buntar is offering a variety of foods and drinks for the price of RM1.

The owner, Othman Sharif, 52, who is a former contractor, said foods and drinks such as ‘laksa’, fried ‘kuey teow’ and ‘ais kacang’ were well-received, especially by low-income earners.

He said, although the items were sold at RM1, the quantity per plate remained big.

“From the first day of business five months ago, Kedai Man RM1 has been receiving an incredible response when a total of 20 kilogrammes of noodles, kuey teow and laksa as well as 50 packs of ais kacang were sold on a daily basis from 11am to 7pm,” he told reporters in Parit Buntar today.

Othman said at the beginning of the business, he was often ridiculed by the locals who questioned his decision to sell foods and drinks that were so cheap.

“What’s even sadder is that some of them have been betting that I will go out of business less than a week of operation because they say the RM1 does not make sense.

“Thank God, I was not only able to keep the business until now, but was also able to do some upgrading to the stall,” he said, adding that he only earned a profit of between RM100 and RM150 per day.

Othman said the idea to sell foods and drinks at RM1 came after seeing a premises in Sungai Kechil, Bandar Baharu, Kedah which was able to make a profit by charging that price.

A customer, Hamid Ramli, 33, said other eatery owners should follow Othman’s footsteps to help the poor.

- Bernama