YOURSAY | ‘Otherwise, it may just work in Pandan constituency.’
Can you still eat well for RM5 or below? Rafizi says ‘yes’ with Kesum
Ruslan Bahari: I commend the idea of Kesum mooted by Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli, and the social business concept behind it. Profit not being the main motivator is a noble idea, but the reality of running a business means you do face plenty of costs.
Kesum is a new social enterprise restaurant in Kuala Lumpur under Rafizi’s purview.
Rent alone can be a major inhibitor of just wanting to make sufficient profit. There is the rent deposit too. Wages are the next challenge, as most Malaysians in the city prefer easier jobs or the gig economy.
Then, there are costs associated with compliance with local health requirements (vaccines, certificates, and the like) and local licensing requirements.
I suppose if this is a single or limited outlet business, it could work. Or you keep yourself to the open-air food parks where rent is minimal.
You would face the wrath of your fellow tradesmen in the park, however.
If you steal their business, you are immediately public enemy number one. And boy, have I seen what the losing party or incumbent popular stall owners do to remain in business!
Justice for All 2025: Kesum may stay profitable with the target 20 percent margin as per Rafizi’s claim if it’s directly under his purview.
Should Rafizi decide to expand and open up new Kesum outlets, it will be highly likely under the proprietorship of a third party or whoever, as Rafizi won’t have time to oversee all outlets (unless he resigns as an MP and fully focuses on expanding Kesum, but that’s not his mission).
If Rafizi decides to open up new outlets, the new proprietors of Kesum must stay social welfare-driven and not be greedy in making a profit; otherwise, the Kesum concept won’t work.
Kesum may work elsewhere at other locations if Rafizi can secure and trust partners or proprietors who truly share his social welfare ideas. Otherwise, the whole Kesum politico-business model will crumble.
By all accounts, Kesum will only work in Pandan constituency under Rafizi’s direct and hands-on supervision. I hope I’m wrong.
Malaysian: Actually, it has always been possible – there are some kind stall operators who allow unlimited portions for RM10, charity-run vegetarian places where you pay much less than outside, and so on.
It’s just greed that’s fuelled the recent sharp spike in cooked food prices. If you ask them, they will regale you with sob stories of how much raw meat costs, how early they have to wake up in the morning.
But how many plates can they sell with that raw meat? And don’t office workers/corporate slaves have to work long hours as well?
There should be more such initiatives so that money-grabbing food sellers are driven out of business!
Fair and Square: Actually, this type of initiative can be partly funded by the government. Just limit the variety of the menu and go on the economies of scale. RM5 per meal is doable.
In Amritsar, more than 100,000 vegetarian meals are served under the langar system. Sikh temples in India feed more than 600,000 people with basic meals.
In Malaysia, if there is a partial subsidy, these types of meals can be managed. There can be a delivery system. Porridge can be served, which is very economical.
The leaders bear a spiritual burden if a small part of the population is hungry under the Islamic system of governance.
The system can be started in some places and slowly expanded once the organisation is set up. This can be done at universities which have B40 students. I hope the government takes this up.
Nato regime: Definitely can sell at this price if we are not looking solely at big profits; there is no control now with this government. When the prices of everything go up, the government finds excuses to say it’s supply and demand.
The previous government still have the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry going around to fine them if they raise the prices unreasonably.
As for the non-Malay food stalls, mostly run by people from Myanmar, the prices are not cheap, and I wonder if they pay taxes. I doubt so.
Wisermann: Restaurant Rakyat in the early 70s was set up on the same basis. It was located opposite Bank Negara, where the fountain now stands. The first three months, the food was good and cheap, but within a year or two, it closed.
I don’t know the reason, but I wish Rafizi the best. Please open an outlet in Subang Jaya, where cooked food is so expensive. Where are we going with this?
Open mind: I hope the business can sustain in the long term. It is hard to find entrepreneurs not motivated by profit to serve the community.
It is a noble and honourable gesture. Best of luck and wish you success in scaling the business nationwide. This will give competition to the overly priced food outlets.
Hassan: This is the difference between Rafizi and Khairy Jamaluddin.
Khairy’s Keluar Sekejap does what? Promote himself as a podcaster? A vanity project, to be seen and heard and stay relevant.
Pure narcissism. Just talk, talk, talk. He posts about himself on social media.
Rafizi is a stark contrast. He chose to do something meaningful for the community. He goes to the ground, literally, mopping floors.
He tries to promote ways to put affordable food into the bellies of the masses. It’s small and simple, but it is impactful to the average folk.
No one has done that. Many politicians and celebrities own restaurants. But they are expensive places catering to the elites; fine dining and high-end eateries for the T20.
I have never heard Rafizi talk up race and religion. That’s very rare for a Malay politician.
Imagine if more Malay politicians were like Rafizi. How far can this nation go with such Malay leaders?
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