In this age of inflation, it is too hard to get a meal for RM5, especially when you are located in a big city where RM10 is equivalent to about one meal. But there are still kind-hearted hawkers in the world who would rather make less money and help to fill the bellies of the less well-off.
Nurul Hashima Abu Aris (aka Kak Shima), 42, is one of those kind-hearted vendors who started selling budget rice at RM3.50 in front of the Kota Damansara church in PJ, during the MCO three years ago. Don’t think that the dishes in this cheap budget rice are just ordinary or just vegetable rice, instead, this conscientiously priced budget rice has no skimping on the choice of side dishes, including chicken, beef, fish, or shrimp, etc. There are four meat choices to choose from every day, and they change daily.
When Kak Shima started her business in 2017, she found it increasingly difficult for Malaysians to afford the rising cost of living until the MCO was introduced in 2019, which affected many people financially and made it impossible for them to feed themselves or their families. She once met a customer who asked for chicken and fish cut into several pieces so that the whole family could fill their stomachs and another who could not afford to pay RM7 for a mixed vegetable meal. After discussing the idea with her husband and children and receiving support, she decided to sell a portion of RM7 rice at half price of RM3.50.
Soon, Kak Shima was gaining attention on social media, and from buying only 60 to 80 packs the day before, she was able to sell about 200 packs of mixed rice in just two hours. While many have praised her dedication, some nearby vendors have accused her of undercutting the market and destroying it. She thought about raising the price to RM4 per packet but decided to keep it at the same price. Because she knows that some of her customers have very low salaries and sometimes they may not have enough food for three meals.
Although Kak Shima is currently living without worries, coming from a poor background, she knows what it’s like to have a meal without a meal, and if she is faced with financial difficulties and no food to eat, she is always welcome to ask for help at her stall. As long as she can help the less fortunate, her heart will be filled with peace and satisfaction.
