KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians recently took to social media to express their dismay over the skyrocketing prices of food and drinks at local food festivals.
User @januarhaikal's post, which has since gone viral, questions why the price of items at food festivals has become so expensive, with some items reaching as high as RM50.
"Whoever is determining the food prices at food festivals now until it's hitting the RM15 to RM55 range, we seriously need to talk.
"After all, food festivals are just like night markets, but why do the prices have to be more expensive than (eateries) inside malls? Hello, police, look at this!"
In his post, Januar listed the prices of various food items, highlighting that the cheapest option, a doughnut, is priced at RM5, while an Arabic dessert, Kunafa, starts at RM25.
"Food prices like this are not funny. Just now, I noticed that the price of a lamb shank can reach RM55.
"Imagine all the fathers bringing their three to four kids to food festivals like this. At least RM200 will be gone.
"To all the dads out there who keep their families steadfast, you are all superheroes," he added.
Tak, sekarang ni siapa yang tetapkan harga makanan dekat karnival makanan kene dalam range RM15 to RM55 ni we seriously need to talk.
Padahal karnival makanan ni dah macam pasar malam je taw tapi kenapa harga lagi mahal dari dalam Mall?
Hello Polis tengok ni! pic.twitter.com/j7zzotvpyW— Januar Haikal (@Januarhaikal) February 18, 2024
Januar also shared that the food items were in fact, delicious, but the prices were still rather insane.
"All the food that I bought, alhamdulillah, was delicious. There were many people; it was a good event, and the flow was beautiful. I went on the last day (of the festival), so it was easier to find a parking spot."
"It's just that the prices were shocking. I understand that it could be the price of the space, but it still feels like, wow, so expensive," he said.
The post has since received 833,000 views, with many others expressing Januar's concerns.
"I'm boycotting food festivals and night markets now. Even Laksa Penang at the night market costs RM10. I'd rather eat at a proper restaurant with air conditioning and comfortable seating without having to queue for so long," said user @Flik_Flop
"Malaysian food vendors seem to have strayed from the core principles of street food. They often cite the rising cost of raw materials as justification for imposing excessively high consumer prices," commented user @haikalxhakim
