Canteen operators must keep prices low

STUDENTS NOT SPARED: Mixed rice or better known as economy rice, is not that economical anymore. Even students have not been spared, like the ones from institutions of higher learning seen here lining up at a restaurant in Section 17, Petaling Jaya. They now have to fork out RM3.30 instead of the RM3 they used to pay for a plate of rice with four dishes



IPOH: Cafeteria operators who are unable to maintain reasonable food prices sold at institutions of higher learning should make way for others who could, Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Idris Haron said.

“I am sure there are many operators who are willing to charge reasonable prices for food sold to students,” he said when commenting on the effects of the fuel price hike on food sold at cafeterias in the institutions.

“We understand that the recent price hike will undeniably start a chain effect on the prices of all other goods.

“However, we do discourage these cafeteria operators to subject the students to unfairly raised prices,” Idris told pressmen after launching the Federation of Peninsular Malay Students (GPMS) national “Cakna Bestari” school adoption programme at SM Simpang Pulai yesterday.

In KUALA LUMPUR, Education Ministry’s school division director Zulkifly Mohd Wazir said schools should terminate the contract of canteen operators who increase food prices indiscriminately.

He said the ministry would issue a guideline to all schools on the matter soon to serve as a reminder.

“They cannot increase prices at their whims and fancies,” he told reporters at the launch of a guidebook on occupational safety and health at SK Taman Seri Gombak 2 yesterday.

Zulkifly was asked to comment on school canteens in Seberang Perai increasing food prices by 10% to 30%.

School canteen operators in the area said the increase was inevitable due to the higher cost of raw ingredients.