Past struggles spur eatery owner to sell affordable meals

KANGAR: The struggles Zaidi Sabani endured while working in Kuala Lumpur 25 years ago inspired him to help people in need by selling affordable meals.

Recalling his experience, the owner of Warung Insaf Fahmi in Taman Ira here said he used to split instant noodles into two portions to last him two days as the salary he earned barely covered his basic needs.

ALSO READ: Menu Rahmah welcomed by businesses of all races, says Salahuddin

"I only had enough money to cover my rent and bus fare. The rest of my earnings went to my family back home.

"By the middle of the month, I would run out of money," he said in a recent interview.

"This is why I started selling meals at just RM5 in 2010 to help those in need, especially teenagers who have just started working."

Zaidi, 41, said when the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry launched the Menu Rahmah initiative last month, he played his part by introducing three meal sets: ayam masak merah with mixed vegetables, ayam masak kicap with kangkung belacan and ayam goreng kunyit with kailan ikan masin.

ALSO READ: Menu Rahmah will be available at higher education institutions after Hari Raya

"I am happy to see my customers eat and go home satisfied after a long day at work. I’m okay with the small profit margin as long as I can help others,” said the father of two.

Zaidi said he would introduce new items now and then so that his customers, mostly teenagers who just entered the working world, do not get bored eating the same food. – Bernama