25/09/2025

THURSDAY | SEPT 25, 2025

/thesuntelegram FOLLOW / Malaysian Paper

ON TELEGRAM m RAM

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Soup kitchen spreads charity, unity

KUALA LUMPUR: By 7am, the kitchen of a shophouse in Jalan Kampung Kangkong, Alor Setar in Kedah is already bustling. Rice is cooking, chicken is being chopped, onions and chillies are being blended, and the air soon fills with the aroma of curry. This shophouse is home to Rumah Makan Percuma, a soup kitchen started five years ago by Mazlina Kamarudin, 58, and her husband Jafri Ahmad, 61. On average, 600 people eat here daily, except Saturdays, when it closes to give its o Here I can eat and see others donate, it is proof of compassion, says customer

daughter of a padi farmer while Jafri was the son of a bus driver. “We understand what it means to live hand-to-mouth,” she said. The couple live modestly to ensure the soup kitchen’s continuity. “We do not own luxury cars or spend on expensive assets. We channel profits into Rumah Makan Percuma,” she said. However, she worries that rising food costs could limit their reach. “The dine-in-only rule helps us control waste. But with prices climbing and crowds growing, it is challenging. We can only provide within our means.” Among the diners are factory workers, senior citizens, families and neighbours, all eating side by side. Mazlina expressed hope that more corporations would step up with similar initiatives to help Malaysians cope with rising costs.

only us. Others must benefit too,” said Mazlina. The choice to serve meals, rather than distribute cash or groceries, was deliberate. “The problem is not always money. Sometimes, it is loneliness or simply not being able to cook. Sitting and eating together makes a difference,” she explained. The couple refuses cash donations, Bernama reported. “If you put a donation box, the rich may give RM100 but the poor would feel embarrassed. We do not want anyone to feel small,” she said. Instead, they accept rice, sugar, oil and spices, or have donors pay suppliers directly. Mazlina said since opening the premises in 2020, “we have never once run short of funds”. The couple are no strangers to hardship. Mazlina grew up as the

“The vibe here is lively. Factory workers, supermarket staff, Malays, Chinese, Indians, everyone sits together. This is the spirit of unity that Malaysia truly needs.” The couple behind the soup kitchen are also the force behind Ayam Bismi, a poultry farming and processing company that Jafri founded in 1988. Today, it operates farms with over two million birds and processes nearly a million chickens monthly, making it Kedah’s largest bumiputera -owned integrated chicken processor. Sixty per cent of the soup kitchen’s operating costs are covered by Ayam Bismi, with the rest coming from the couple’s own pockets and in-kind contributions. “If Ayam Bismi makes a profit, Rumah Makan Percuma continues to run. We do not want wealth to benefit

five staff a rest. During Ramadan, meals are packed for breaking fast but Mazlina insists on one rule: no takeaways. “Anyone can come, regardless of race or religion. We want people to sit together, chat and feel like it is a celebration,” she said. The menu changes daily: rice, chicken dishes, vegetables, ulam and drinks. Sometimes, traditional kuih , donated by the public, is added. Self-employed electrician Izan Iskandar, 45, is among the regulars and he cares for two younger siblings. For him, the soup kitchen is more than just food. “Life is tough. Food is expensive. But here, I can eat and see others donate rice and supplies. It is proof of compassion,” he said. He drops by five times a week not just for a meal, but also for the atmosphere.

Young talents shine at robotics competition in Japan KUALA LUMPUR: Ten exceptional young Malaysians have made their mark on the international stage at the Universal Robotics Challenge (URC) in Osaka, Japan, earning recognition for their creativity, determination and innovation. It said the students were hosted at the Malaysia Pavilion, Expo Osaka before competing on Saturday, a symbolic moment underscoring the pavilion’s role in celebrating national talent and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Apart from SM Sains Hulu Terengganu, the students, aged between 10 and 15, represented schools from across the country, including Soleh Islamic School Cyberjaya. Many were nurtured through the Tech Up Lab in Hulu Terengganu, founded by educator Ridhuan Azman and supported by Tech Up Sdn Bhd and Yayasan MySDG, which has been grooming rural students for STEM opportunities since 2017. “For several of these young talents, URC marked not only their first international competition, but also their first experience abroad, a transformative milestone made possible through the combined support of their schools, families and

The Malaysia Pavilion, Expo Osaka in a statement said a breakthrough was recorded this year when the team from Sekolah Menengah (SM) Sains Hulu Terengganu secured second place in the Python Division, marking Malaysia’s first medal from URC International. “Other teams achieved commendable placements, with one advancing into the top 10 in the advanced division and others reaching the top 20 in the advanced and regular divisions. “These results reflect Malaysia’s steady progress in robotics and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, and highlight the resilience and creativity of the nation’s youth.”

The results reflect Malaysia’s steady progress in robotics and STEM education, and highlight the resilience and creativity of the nation’s youth, Malaysia Pavilion said. – BERNAMAPIC community,” the statement read.

amplify its mission to present Malaysia not only as a nation rich in heritage, but also as one that is shaping a future of innovation and excellence. “The visit reflected the Pavilion’s theme, ‘Weaving a Future in Harmony’, and showcased Malaysia’s ability to nurture world-class talent even from the most modest beginnings,” the statement said. – Bernama

programme solutions on the spot. Malaysia competed in all divisions, aligning with the competition’s focus on industry, innovation and infrastructure under the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal Nine. As Expo Osaka continues, the Malaysia Pavilion said the achievements of these students

Organised by Japan’s Artec Co Ltd, with Tech Up Sdn Bhd as Malaysia’s local partner, the ninth edition of URC brought together hundreds of young innovators from 14 countries to compete across categories such as Real Robotics Regular, Real Robotics Advanced and Python, which challenged teams to design and