19/02/2026

THURSDAY | FEB 19, 2026

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Food delivery gridlock expected PETALING JAYA: Food delivery demand may drop during daytime hours in the fasting month but riders expect sharp surges near the breaking of fast as well as tips from customer generosity, according to the Malaysian e-Hailing Coalition (Gabungan e-Hailing Malaysia, GEM). Its chief activist Masrizal o Delivery riders, customers urged to be mindful of delays due to demand spike during Ramadan peak hours Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com “Based on feedback from smaller community groups, there is an increase in tips when order comes. In my experience since 2017 duing Ramadan, members of the public, especially Muslim customers, tend to give more charity or tips during seasons like this.” On Jan 26, theSun had reported that the expansion of e-hailing and food delivery platforms has helped normalise tipping behaviour among Malaysian consumers.

Perak to implement immediate measures to address flooding IPOH: The Perak government will roll out a series of immediate maintenance measures as short term solutions to address recurring flooding in the Kinta district. State Infrastructure, Energy, Water and Public Transport Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said the measures include maintaining flood retention ponds, flood control pumps and flap gates to ensure the entire system operates at optimum capacity. For the long term, he said the state government will proceed with phase two of the Sungai Kinta flood mitigation plan to upgrade the Jalan Raja bridge in the Manjoi cluster, undertake widening and deepening works along Sungai Pari and enhance the internal drainage system in affected villages through the relevant agencies. “The state government remains committed to ensuring public safety is always prioritised and all mitigation efforts and infrastructure improvements will be expedited to reduce the risk of recurring incidents,” he said in a statement yesterday. Meanwhile, Mohammad Nizar said rainfall exceeding 80 mm was among the main causes of the flooding that struck Kinta last Monday. Heavy rain in the upper reaches of Sungai Kinta and Sungai Pari recorded a total rainfall of 83.5mm. “The heavy downpour caused river levels to surge by more than two metres in less than two hours. The highest reading at the Sungai Kinta water level station in Kuala Pari was 32.04m at 8.15pm before receding to 29.99m at 2.10pm on Tuesday.” He added that the incident caused Sungai Pari to overflow into low-lying and high-risk residential areas, particularly around Manjoi and Buntong, as well as several locations near Sungai Pari, including Taman Hock Aun and Jalan Kuala Kangsar, with flood depths ranging from 0.3 to 0.6m. – Bernama quiet due to low energy, while other times, one becomes more patient than expected,” Nafisah observed. An avid follower of social media influencers, Nafisah enjoys experimenting with new recipes to avoid the high costs of food bazaars. “You need at least RM50 at a bazaar. We try to refrain because we need to save for transportation to our hometown and duit raya for our families.” Ultimately, Nafisah believes marriage adds a layer of spiritual motivation to the month. “Serving your spouse with good intentions is an act of worship. It strengthens our ties and motivates us to do better,” she said.

breaking fast hours) rush. “That period is definitely peak. My advice to them is be more patient, especially when orders come in close to breaking fast. That is normal in any service line. No matter the role, you still have to serve. Customers always come first.” Previous industry trends have also pointed to heightened Ramadan demand. According to Grab’s 2023/2024 Ramadan-Raya Insights, 84% of Malaysians plan to increase their festive spending, while 62% anticipate a heavy reliance on the platform’s food delivery and other services. Despite that, Rizal added that the fasting month also tends to bring a seasonal lift in voluntary tipping and charitable giving by customers.

evening window means riders must manage their working hours more strategically to capture peak orders. “This depends on each rider’s own judgement. That is the peak period when customers expect fast and high-quality service. “Of course, if it is time for prayers or other obligations that must be fulfilled, then they should pause. But in general, riders should continue operating until the rush eases before taking their break. Many customers also tend to place last-minute orders close to breaking fast, so riders need to be ready and on standby during that period.” Rizal advised riders to remain patient and strategic in managing their working hours during the fasting month, particularly during the intense pre- iftar (before

The previous report found tips received by drivers typically ranged from as low as 50 sen to about RM10 per order, depending on customer satisfaction and service quality. Despite the potential upside, Rizal cautioned riders against relying on tips as a guaranteed income stream and stressed the importance of maintaining service quality. “We do not encourage riders to rely on tips as guaranteed income. “What matters most is maintaining proper service ethics and delivering the best possible service with every order.”

Mahidin, also known as Jose Rizal, said order patterns typically undergo a time-of-day reshuffle during Ramadan rather than a straightforward drop in demand. “Based on usual patterns, orders in the morning or afternoon tend to decline because the majority of Muslim customers do not place orders during those hours. “However, as the time for breaking fast approaches, around after 4pm or 5pm, demand increases significantly,” he told theSun yesterday. Rizal said the compression of demand before shifting towards the

DISTINCTIVE DATES ... Shoppers browsing a wide selection of dates at a local specialty store in Kuala Lumpur.

Demand for varieties like Safawi , Ajwa and Medjool

typically surges as families stock up for the fasting month. – BERNAMAPIC

Newlyweds share how first Ramadan together strengthens faith, marriage

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

adapted too – while Nurul Haifaa previously attended tarawih prayers at her local surau, the couple now prays at home to accommodate her husband’s recovery from a recent surgery. Similarly, Nur Balqis Ameera Norismail, 27, from Sungai Petani, Kedah, feels the weight of her new role. “I used to keep sahur simple with just water and dates. But my husband prefers rice, so we now wake up earlier to prepare a more filling meal.” For Balqis, visiting the food bazaar occasionally feels like a “mini date”, although they have become more disciplined with their spending. “We are less impulsive now. We

think before we buy and try to cook more at home,” she said, adding that they aim to complete reciting the Quran together this month. “I’d describe our first Ramadan as an experience of closeness.” For those a little further along in their journey, the novelty remains. Nur Nafisah Hamdan, 27, who is entering her third Ramadan with her husband, describes the experience as “surreal”. “The difference is largely emotional. Breaking fast together is deeply bonding and even small talk during sahur becomes meaningful.” Fasting together has also revealed new facets of their personalities. “Sometimes one of us becomes very

Even through the sleepiness, there is a sense of gratitude and excitement to start the fast together,” she said. Stepping into roles once handled by her mother, Nurul Haifaa now focuses on meal planning and her husband’s preferences. She noted that even small habits, like different sleeping patterns, have become part of a new rhythm. “Most days, my husband is the first to rise as his previous night-shift work made him a natural night owl,” she added. While the couple prioritises home cooked meals for health and cost saving, Ramadan bazaars would remain an occasional “saviour” on tiring days. Spiritually, they have

PETALING JAYA: As Muslims adjust their routines for sahur (pre-dawn meal) and iftar (breaking of fast), Ramadan holds a profound significance for newlyweds navigating the holy month together for the first time. For 27-year-old Nurul Haifaa Halim from Shah Alam, who has been married for three months, the experience is a shift from personal routine to shared responsibility. “Before this, I would wake up alone or my parents would call me. Having a partner makes it more meaningful.