‘Smart Mamak’ to cut costs at outlets

New app allows patrons to order online and can help restaurants reduce manpower

PUTRAJAYA: Mamak restaurant patrons can soon order their favourite roti canai and mee goreng on their mobile phones.

A mobile application dubbed Smart Mamak was developed by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) as a possible solution to tackle the dependence on foreign workers at mamak restaurants, said UKM deputy vicechancellor (research and innovation) Prof Dr Mohd Ekhwan Toriman.

“This will reduce costs and increase profits for the restaurants,” he said.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh launched the app yesterday.

Dr Mohd Ekhwan added that the app was designed based on the selfservice concept, which reduces waiting time for food.

“Customers can just pick up their food when they arrive at the restaurant,” he said.

App users can review and rank the restaurants on a variety of criteria, including the hygiene level, which will then allow Malaysia Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma) to rate the restaurants, he added.

UKM vicechancellor Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azlan Ghani said the app was developed by the university’s Information Technology and Systems Faculty, Social and Humanities Faculty, and Economy and Commerce Faculty in collaboration with Presma.

The app is being piloted at Restoran Ali Maju in Precinct 2, Putrajaya, with a target of having all 4,000 Presma restaurants onboard.

Meanwhile, Idris said in Cyberjaya earlier that the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) would be the sole body responsible for accrediting and recognising qualifications for positions in the civil service.

This is to avoid duplication of functions with the Public Service Department (JPA), he added.

Speaking to reporters after launching the new MQA office at Bangunan Mercu MQA yesterday, he said job applicants do not have to validate their certifications with JPA before submitting their applications.

They only have to ensure their courses are in the list of accredited certifications in the Malaysian Qualifications Registry and eSisraf, which are available on the MQA website.

However, job applications must still be done through JPA, Idris added.

Smart technology: Idris (holding smartphone) trying out the Smart Mamak app after launching it at Restoran Ali Maju in Putrajaya. Looking on are UKM University Board Of Directors chairman Tan Sri Dr Ibrahim Saad (left), Presma president Ayoob Khan...