Menu Siswa a big help for students on a tight budget

PETALING JAYA: Tertiary education students nationwide can now manage their budgets and still get balanced meals, thanks to the newly-launched Menu Siswa Rahmah.

The menu, offering affordable food as low as RM3.50 in 20 public universities and polytechnics, can be beneficial for the students, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister, who visited Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia yesterday, tried the affordable menu at the Randau Rasa Cafeteria before performing Friday prayers there.

Anwar was seen trying some of the meals prepared, including fried catfish with sambal and vegetables.

He was accompanied by UKM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Ekhwan Toriman, the university’s top leadership and management staff as well as student representatives.

UiTM postgraduate student Mohd Yusuf Akmal Shamsudin said dishes under the newly-launched menu would provide students with balanced meals and better financial management.

He said that as cost of living has become a serious issue, it would be hard for many students to balance their daily needs like food with other expenditures.

“Students are facing an increasing financial burden. It can be hard to have money left over to cover basic needs.

“This Menu Rahmah is an attractive solution because it allows students to get quality food at a lower cost,” said the 26-year-old.

ASASIpintar student Fatimah Azzahra Mohammad Nizam said many of her friends would cut down on food expenses as they needed money for books and stationery.

She said she usually spent around RM6 to RM7 for the meals now being offered at lower prices.

“So, this is a huge savings,” she added.

Islamic education student Muhammad Amir Luqman, 22, agreed, saying the initiative would help him save money.

“Usually, I spend RM5 to RM10 for a meal. For three meals a day, seven days a week it comes up to quite a lot. So, this really helps,” he added.