By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, July 2: Some eateries selling chicken rice in Kuching decided to retain their prices despite the hike in ceiling price for chickens that came into effect yesterday (July 1).
Anna, 61, who is operating a stall at Ang Hor Cafe, Ban Hock Road, sells various chicken rice dishes ranging from RM6 to RM8.
“I know about the price increase (for chicken), but I also worry about my customers. The minimum salary for the working class is not increasing, and if I proceed to increase the price of my chicken rice, how can they afford it?
“Retaining the food price would only cost me lesser profit, but on my part, I am fine with the ‘cukup makan’ (minimal) profit,” she told DayakDaily when met at her stall today.
Meanwhile, Asang Ruer, 51, who is the owner of Economy Fast Food located at Padungan Garden Road, informed that he has decided not to increase the price of his food products after concluding that the new ceiling price for chicken does not bring any loss to him.
“I have made some calculations, and I have found that I am able to control the cost of chicken and still make a profit out of it. Therefore, there will be no economic loss to my business even if I retain the price of the food.
“Customers will still be able to enjoy chicken fried rice at my eatery for RM6 or a plate consisting of a piece of chicken, salad dish and rice at only RM5,” he said.
Jonathan Ting, 35, who operates his stall at Woon Lam Cafe 1999, Song Thian Cheok Road, is also following suit in not increasing the price of his chicken rice product.
He sells only one type of chicken rice dish valued at RM8, which means that his business profit would fully depend on the profit return of every chicken rice sold.
“However, I cannot increase the price of my chicken rice beyond the current price. I admit that not doing so would affect my business to achieve lesser profit, but it is now up to the point of whether I want to settle for a lesser profit or fewer customers. Thus, I chose lesser profit,” he added.
Although these eateries have decided not to increase their prices of chicken rice due to fear of losing customers, other eateries have no problem doing the opposite.
Pak Amit Cafe Legacy owner, who wants to be known only as Emma, 33, said the new ceiling price for chicken had given her eatery the opportunity to increase the costs of chicken dishes following the current market.
The price for chicken rice sold at RM6 has gone up to RM7, while Nasi Ayam Penyet and Nasi Ayam Bakar prices have risen from RM10 to RM12.
“The Ayam Bakar was supposed to be much more expensive than Nasi Ayam Penyet because the dish preparation involves extra ingredients that have also gone through inflation prices.
“However, we have decided to standardise the price of Ayam Bakar dish to the likes of Ayam Penyet dish because a lot of customers are complaining about the difference,” she said.
DayakDaily also visited another shop named Authentic Chicken Rice located at Ban Hock Road, where the workers there informed us that it had increased the price of their chicken rice dish by 60 sen.
“Previously, we sell steamed or roasted chicken rice at RM6.30 but now the price has changed to RM6.90 just recently. This is because of the soaring price for chicken,” a worker said.
On June 29, Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee said the federal Cabinet has agreed to cap the ceiling price for standard chickens at RM9.40 per kg in the Peninsula.
In Sarawak, the ceiling price for standard chicken has been fixed according to districts where Kuching, Lundu, Bau, Serian, Simunjan, Samarahan, Asajaya, Sibu, Kanowit, Selangau, Miri, Marudi, Bintulu, Tatau, Sebauh, Sarikei, Julau, Pakan, Meradong, Mukah, Dalat, Matu and Daro are fixed at RM9.80 per kg.
For Sri Aman, Saratok, Betong and Lubok Antu, the retail price is capped at RM10.50 per kg while Kapit, Bukit Mabong, Song and Belaga is capped at RM11.40 per kg.
The retail price for Limbang and Lawas is RM12.90 per kg.
The ceiling prices came into effect yesterday and will last until Aug 31, 2022.
— DayakDaily
