Public told to practise ‘prudent spending’
KUALA LUMPUR: Despite facing global economic uncertainty, the government is committed to implementing an optimum budget for the rakyat through prudent spending.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the definition of prudent spending by the government was similar to how a sensible father or head of family managed his finances to meet his household needs.
“In other words, if previously we could afford expensive toys, in the present situation we can continue to do so but only within our means.”
Calling for Malaysians to be more prudent in their spending, Najib also suggested cheaper alternatives when it came to food and dining out.
“This is also applicable for food and dining, where one is advised to spend in moderation according to one’s needs.
“Furthermore, Malaysia is known as a food haven,” he said during the 2017 Budget announcement in Parliament yesterday.
Najib also singled out good food sold at reasonable prices, such as the Nasi Kandar Vanggey in Ipoh and Nasi Lemak Anak Dara in Shah Alam.
“I found out that a young female local graduate is selling Nasi Lemak Anak Dara in Shah Alam.
“It went viral that she was summoned…” he said, referring to the young food entrepreneur, Siti Hajjar Ahmad, 24, who was fined by the Shah Alam City Council for operating a business without a licence.
“The government encourages such individuals, especially graduates, to venture into entrepreneurship and we pray for their success.”
When met at Shah Alam’s Best Street Food Festival, where she was selling her famous nasi lemak at the PKNS Complex parking area, Siti Hajjar said she had applied for a licence to operate her stall, but it was still pending.
Siti Hajjar expressed her surprise that the prime minister had mentioned her during the 2017 Budget.
“I was speechless when people told me that our prime minister mentioned my business during the 2017 Budget announcement. It never crossed my mind.”
Siti Hajjar said she started her business two months ago to help her mother and never thought that it would gain so much attention.
Speaking about her business, she said she had the idea to sell nasi lemak after graduating from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn.
“I don’t want to sit around doing nothing while waiting for a job offer and burdening my mother,” she said, adding that she received a financial loan of RM500 to start her business.
“I am thankful to my mother for the recipe. The sambal was from a recipe used by my family for generations.”
The four-day Best Street Food Festival will end tomorrow.
Siti Hajjar said she did not have any experience in running a business, but persevered as she loved the challenge.
“I am learning as I go along, but I have been enjoying the experience. What is important is to have a strong heart and mind.”
As for Nasi Kandar Vanggey, a rice dish at a popular stall at Yong Suan Coffee Shop in Jalan Yang Kalsom, it is served with a choice of fried chicken, fish, prawns, squid or mutton, with a serving of side dishes, such as coconut chutney and vegetables.
Each portion is priced around RM6, making it a popular lunch choice among the locals.
“Vanggey”, which means “welcome” in Tamil, has been attracting a steady flow of customers since it opened in 1955. A favourite stop among locals and tourists alike, it has been featured in numerous Siti Hajjar Ahmad cooking at the
yesterday. Pic by Muhammad
tourism sites and blogs.
The dish, which is a hit for its spicy kuah campur (mixed gravy), is so popular that some food operators in the city has also taken up the name and offer their own versions of Nasi Vanggey.