At a time when rising ingredient costs are pushing Ramadan bazaar prices higher across Malaysia, one trader in Batu Pahat has quietly chosen a different path. At the Rahmah Ramadan Bazaar (BRR) Pesta, Mohamad Sufi Yusoff, 53, continues to offer RM1 laksa, selling each packet for just RM1 despite rising food prices.
In an era where most bazaar dishes easily reach RM6, RM8 or more, the price has surprised many visitors and quickly turned his stall into one of the bazaar’s biggest attractions.
Yet for Sufi, the decision is not new. He has maintained the RM1 laksa price since he first began trading at Ramadan bazaars in 2006.
His motivation is simple: helping people while sharing his blessings with the community.
“About 20 years ago, most food was sold at RM1 per packet. Things are different now, but I chose to maintain the price, even though I once considered increasing it,” he told Bernama.
RM1 Laksa: A Price That Defies Rising Costs
Maintaining a RM1 price in today’s market is not easy.
Like many food traders, Sufi has also felt the impact of rising ingredient costs, particularly ikan selayang, the key ingredient used to prepare the laksa gravy. The price increases have inevitably squeezed his profit margin.
However, he says the satisfaction of helping others outweighs purely financial considerations.
The affordable price has proven extremely popular with visitors to the bazaar. Throughout Ramadan, more than 500 packets of the RM1 laksa are sold every day, making it the most sought-after option at his stall.
While the RM1 laksa remains the crowd favourite, Sufi also offers larger portions priced at RM3 and RM4 for customers who want a bigger serving.
A Family Effort
Behind the busy stall is not just Sufi alone, but also the support of his children.
The business is run with the help of his children Siti Nurfatin Naqiyah, 26, who has assisted since she was six, as well as Siti Nurfatin Nazurah, 21, and Muhammad Aqif Naqiyudin, 17.
Over the years, working together at the bazaar has also become a way for Sufi to teach his children an important lesson about business and life.
For him, running a business is not only about profits, but also about sharing rezeki and caring for the community.
Supporting the Rahmah Initiative
Sufi also welcomed the Rahmah Ramadan Bazaar initiative, which encourages traders to offer menu items priced at RM5 and below to help ease the burden on consumers during the fasting month.
He believes traders can still run sustainable businesses while offering affordable options if they plan properly.
“With proper planning, there is no issue in providing Rahmah-priced options. What matters is adjusting costs and portion sizes wisely,” he said.
A Simple Stall, A Powerful Message
In many ways, Sufi’s stall reflects the deeper spirit of Ramadan.
While inflation and rising costs dominate conversations across many Ramadan bazaars, his decision to continue selling RM1 laksa has reminded many visitors that generosity still has a place in business.
Sometimes, a small bowl of laksa can carry a much bigger meaning.
Sources: 1| 2| 3
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