Self-service boost to pocketbooks | The Star

THE People’s Income Initiative (IPR) of the government has proven to be instrumental in increasing the earnings of the B40 group, who are actively seeking additional sources of income to cope with the rising cost of living.

Comprising three models – Food Entrepreneur Initiative (Insan), Farming Entrepreneur Initiative (Intan) and Service Operator Initiative (Ikhsan) – IPR under the Economy Ministry has begun to yield outcomes.

The IPR self-service machine programme was launched by Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli in March last year and participants have started reaping the benefits.

Under Insan, the participant is provided with a vending machine at a dedicated location, with the monthly rental of between RM600 and RM800 covered by the government for two years.

The programme aims to empower participants to earn between RM2,000 and RM2,500 per month during the 24-month monitoring period, and subsequently generate their own income through profits.

Trader Muhammad Nasrullah Ramli, 39, said IPR-Insan had greatly helped increase his family’s income, generating RM1,000 to RM1,500 a month through the vending machine business.

“I offer a variety of prepared food, including nasi lemak, fried noodles, sandwiches and kuih, priced between RM1 and RM5 through a vending machine placed at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Tapah,” he told BK in Ipoh, Perak.

Muhammad Nasrullah, who also operates a roadside stall in Kampung Mak Teh Tapah Road, said food vending machines at universities gave students options to buy ready-made meals at affordable prices.

“I will place food at 6am daily and replenish the machine with fresh food at noon as per the Health Ministry recommenda-tions.

“The first month was a bit challenging, but after three months of operation, there has been improvement.

“I plan to diversify the food offerings in the vending machine,” he said.

Another participant, Kelantan-born Muhammad Farid Che Lazim, 26, operates a food vending machine at Kinta District and Land Office in Kampung Manjoi, Ipoh in Perak.

“I applied for the IPR programme in June last year and the entire process was done online.

“It wasn’t too difficult as long as we met the set criteria.

“Among the items I sell are nasi lemak telur mata, fried noodles, sandwiches, various types of kuih and tinned and boxed drinks.

“I cook all the food myself and they will be replenished every six hours according to the prescribed procedure,” he said.

In addition to his participa-tion in IPR, Muhammad Farid operates a food stall in Taman Perpaduan, Ipoh, selling various types of east coast dishes. The food stall yields an income of about RM1,500 per month.

“Within just a month of joining this IPR programme, I already achieved sales of around RM1,300.

“I feel very happy when I get such decent sales revenue.

“It increases my family’s income and, at the same time, I can still manage my food stall,” said Muhammad Farid, who is married and has a son.

One part-time religious teacher in Ipoh has managed to earn RM13,000 in profits since venturing into the vending machine business.

Ismail Awang, 36, who hails from Kuala Kangsar, started in mid-September last year with a vending machine at the Ipoh Railway Station.

He said the business not only saved time but also helped ease his cost of living burden.

“It helps me greatly in getting extra income without having to be at the location for too long.

“I receive notifications via the vending machine app if supply runs out.

“The food sold through this machine is mostly homemade and priced under RM5.

“Among them are chicken burgers, sandwiches, cakes, spaghetti and nasi lemak,” he said, adding that he emphasised food quality to ensure income generated through the machine met the set targets.