11/08/2025

MONDAY | AUG 11, 2025

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Public laments Menu Rahmah now harder to find

RTD to expand free motorcycle licence programme for B40 ALOR SETAR: The Road Transport Department has expressed hope that more school students from the B40 group will join phase two of MyLesen B2, which enables them to obtain a free motorcycle licence. RTD director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli said this aligns with the 10,000 new spots under the initiative recently announced by Transport Minister Anthony Loke. “The target is to help more underprivileged students aged 16 and above to obtain their motorcycle licence so that they can ride to school. “The department, Education Ministry and state education departments have reviewed several matters to expand the MyLesen B2 programme,” he told reporters yesterday. “I hope the government will consider the department’s request to increase the allocation for the programme next year,” he said, adding that the programme would also ensure better compliance with road traffic laws. The government allocated 15,000 spots for the free motorcycle licence under phase one, which began in February. The MyLesen B2 programme is an initiative to help the B40 group obtain a free Class B2 of the Malaysian driving licence as part of efforts to enhance mobility, employment opportunities and road safety. Meanwhile, Aedly Fadly said only the government can decide to lower the minimum age for obtaining a driving licence below 16, adding that thorough preparations and discussions are necessary before it can be introduced. “Currently, the minimum age to obtain a motorcycle licence is 16 and 17 for a car licence. “Lowering the age limit would require thorough preparation at driving institutes, for example, as well as addressing concerns from parents.” – Bernama Adopt Dapur Siswa plan, private universities urged KUALA NERUS: The Higher Education Ministry is encouraging private universities nationwide to adopt the Dapur Siswa initiative, which is currently implemented by all public universities. Its Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said his ministry believes that students at private higher education institutions are also facing financial difficulties. “I have received information that some private universities have already implemented Dapur Siswa. We understand that many students face difficulties and financial challenges, which is why I have instructed the ministry’s student affairs department to implement this initiative. “For example, at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), the project provides meals to 300 students daily,” he told reporters after attending the ‘In Person With DocZam’ session at the university’s Dewan Al-Muktafi Billah Shah on Saturday. Zambry said he has also instructed all university vice-chancellors to be vigilant in identifying students in need and to provide immediate assistance. – Bernama

then minister for domestic trade and cost of living. It was a nationwide initiative to offer meals at RM5 or less to help ease the financial strain on lower-income groups. Salahuddin passed away on July 23, 2023. When contacted by theSun , Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Deputy Minister Datuk Fuziah Salleh said Menu Rahmah and Bakul Rahmah initiatives had no government budget allocation when they were first introduced. “Only Jualan Rahmah received government funding. Menu Rahmah was a voluntary effort from traders. “When it was introduced, the feedback was very positive, especially from students. “As it was voluntary and not backed by a dedicated budget, sustaining it has been challenging. “The ministry is now exploring ways to revive the initiative, with discussions planned with the Finance Ministry.” She however, did not specify a timeline for its revival. concrete step towards building a more efficient, inclusive and future ready healthcare ecosystem. The programme will also be held in Kuantan and Kota Kinabalu with the support of strategic partners including the Finance Ministry, Bank Simpanan Nasional, the MMA, Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society, telco providers such as Maxis, Digi and Telekom Malaysia, as well as digital solutions providers. “We hope more private clinics and pharmacies will adopt solutions through this grant.” – Bernama

chicken rice, spaghetti bolognese, sizzling noodles, Hailam noodles and chicken porridge. “The meals are nice and satisfying. They are perfect for children too, as the small portions help avoid wastage.” It is believed that sustaining the menu is a challenge for major retail outlets and food operators due to rising costs of ingredients and operations. Pulai MP Suhaizan Kayat said Menu Rahmah was always meant to be short-term – to address the high cost of living. “The offer of RM5 meals was expected to taper off over time. With costs continuing to rise, it is becoming tough to sustain.” Suhaizan added that the government continues to offer other forms of assistance to help ease living costs, including the recently announced RM100 aid under Sara or Sumbangan Asas Rahmah. Menu Rahmah was launched in January 2023 by the late Salahuddin, former Pulai MP and amount fully utilised. She said for this year the Finance Ministry has approved an additional RM50 million, with RM30 million channelled to MCMC through telecommunications companies to further support and strengthen MSMEs. On the GDPM Fest, Teo said the event demonstrates the government’s determination to ensure MSMEs, particularly in the health sector, are not left behind in technological advancement. She said the initiative is a

o Popular RM5 meal programme struggles to survive without dedicated funding, govt exploring options

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

in Johor is becoming financially tougher. “For RM50 with Menu Rahmah, it gets you more than five meals. If it were up to me, I’d want Menu Rahmah all the time.” Norzie Marwani Zakaria, a 36-year-old department manager at a retail outlet, said she has not seen Menu Rahmah in most eateries. “For someone like me, juggling work and family, Menu Rahmah helped reduce my burden, especially at the end of the month,” said the mother of two. She said although the portion sizes are small, the meals are sufficient for those on a budget. “At my workplace, there are still six outlets offering Menu Rahmah meals such as steamed dim sum , “This demonstrates GDPM’s effectiveness in helping MSMEs digitalise their services. This year, we are focusing on the health sector, targetting at least 50% participation of private clinics and pharmacies,” she said at the GDPM Fest 2025 yesterday. She added that in 2024 the government channelled RM90 million to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) through telecommunications service providers, with nearly the entire

PETALING JAYA: Menu Rahmah, once a symbol of affordable dining for Malaysians facing rising cost of living, has become scarce. Many Malaysians now report meals under Menu Rahmah have largely disappeared from eateries and food courts nationwide. A school teacher based in Johor, Na’aim Idris, 37, expressed his frustration at this. “I haven’t seen Menu Rahmah since the late (Datuk Seri) Salahuddin Ayub passed away. It used to be my go-to lunch option at Mydin or stalls near Pasir Gudang. Now I spend RM10 to RM15 just for lunch. I truly miss Menu Rahmah.” He said despite being single, life JOHOR BAHRU: A total of 38,804 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide were successfully digitalised under the Madani MSME Digital Grant (GDPM) in 2024, with approved funding of RM89.6 million. Communications Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching stated that 2,838 of the recipients were clinics and pharmacies, representing approximately 19 percent of such premises in Malaysia, based on data from the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA). No change in vehicles liable to pay toll PUTRAJAYA: Malaysian Highway Authority has stressed that there will be no change to the categories of vehicles currently subject to tolls, including the exemption for motorcyclists. This comes in response to a post on social media which alleged that motorcyclists would begin paying tolls this October. The MHA confirmed yesterday that the claim is false. It warned the misinformation could alarm motorcyclists and harm the government’s reputation. “For the public’s information, PLUS Malaysia Berhad is currently testing an open toll system using the ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) technology. “The system will be rolled out in stages across highways operated by PLUS to improve traffic flow, enhance user convenience and reduce congestion at toll plazas.” – Bernama The

38,800 MSMEs digitalised with RM89m grant

INCISOR INNOVATIONS ... A visitor taking a closer look at technology and instruments showcased at the 2025 Malaysia-International Dental Exhibition and Conference at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre yesterday. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN