‘We won’t burden our customers’

JOHOR BARU: Many food operators here are not planning to adjust the cost of their chicken dishes yet despite the price of poultry having been floated for over a week.

Some are even willing to absorb the extra cost should the price not increase beyond RM1 per kg.

Food stall operator Sumardi Kasdul has been selling fried chicken at RM3.50 apiece for the past two years.

“I have decided to maintain the price even after the government’s decision to stop the poultry subsidies and price controls.

“My customers have been supporting me even during the Covid-19 pandemic so I feel that I owe it to them to keep my prices low, especially when other things are getting more expensive.

“I have also not made any adjustment to the prices of my other dishes like chicken porridge, fried rice and fried noodles, which continue to sell at RM2.50 per pack,” said the 43-year-old when met at his stall in Taman Tampoi Indah.

Sumardi, who has been operating the stall for about 10 years, said he could sell up to 15 birds each day.

A chicken rice seller, who only wanted to be known as Yoong, 50, said it was not right for businesses to use the decision to float the poultry price as an excuse to increase the cost of their menu.

“I can buy fresh chicken at RM9 per kg or even lower so there is no need for me to increase the price of my dish.

“A plate of chicken rice at my stall is RM5.50 to RM6, depending on the chicken parts. They are used to my current price and I am worried that they would stop coming if I increase it,” he said.

Nasi lemak seller Lim Ka Gui said he had yet to feel any effect as the poultry price had only been floated since Nov 1.

“I will wait and see if I need to make any price adjustments.

“For now, I plan to absorb the cost if the price of poultry increases within RM1 as I don’t want to burden my customers, who are mostly with families,” said the 54-year-old.

Previously, the ceiling price for standard chicken was set at RM9.40 per kg while super chicken was RM10.40 per kg.

Standard chicken refers to those with heads, feet and internal organs, while super chicken are those without heads, feet and internal organs.