2.3 – Student hunger

2.3.4 – Healthy and affordable food choices

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) is committed to ensuring that all students have access to nutritious and affordable meals, in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: Zero Hunger. Recognizing the increasing cost of living and its impact on students, UKM has introduced several initiatives to provide healthy and affordable food options at all food outlets on campus. One such initiative is the introduction of the Menu Siswa Rahmah, which has been instrumental in reducing the financial burden on students while ensuring they have access to balanced and nutritious meals.

1. Menu Siswa Rahmah 

In response to the rising cost of living and the growing financial challenges faced by students, the Ministry of Higher Education in Malaysia has introduced the Menu Siswa Rahmah which is fully supported by the UKM. This program offers affordable and nutritious meals at just RM3.50 for the lunch menu which is white rice, chicken or fish dishes, vegetables and gravy or soup, while dinner is fried rice and fried egg. The beverage is also included.

The menu can be enjoyed by all UKM students at all cafeterias in Bangi campus. Previously spending at least RM50 per week on food, students anticipate significant cost savings with the Menu Siswa Rahmah. Estimates suggest a potential halving of monthly food expenses, allowing student store direct those funds towards academic materials or other necessities.

The program’s success extends beyond affordability. UKM students also praise the menu’s emphasis on providing high-quality and nutritious meals, ensuring they can maintain a balanced diet while enjoying significant cost savings.

According to Malaysia’s Department of Statistics, lunch prices in Bangi, Ulu Langat differ from the Menu Siswa Rahmah with similar lunch items offered at UKM, even though they’re in the same district. The table below shows the price differences between the similar lunch items in UKM Bangi and Ulu Langat. 

Lunch items	Prices of lunch items (RM)
	UKM	Ulu Langat district
Plate of white rice, chicken and vegetable	3.50	9.25
Drink		1.70
Total	3.50	10.95
Differences	UKM lunch items in Menu Siswa Rahmah is RM7.45 cheaper than the average lunch price in the Ulu Langat district
This average market price of the lunch items in Ulu Langat was released on December 2023 by the Department of Statistics, Ministry of Economy. (https://open.dosm.gov.my/dashboard/consumer-prices)

The market price for a lunch menu (left picture) consisting of white rice, chicken, and vegetables in the Ulu Langat district is RM9.25, while the beverage (right picture) is priced at RM1.70. Therefore, the total price for both items is RM10.95, which is RM7.45 higher than the price of the Menu Siswa Rahmah provided at UKM, which is RM3.50.

Price of RM9.25 for 1 plate of white rice, chicken and vegetable in Ulu Langat district	Price of RM1.70 for teh tarik(milk tea) in Ulu Langat district

This initiative is available in all food outlets in all UKM campuses, including Bangi, Cheras, and Kuala Lumpur, ensuring that all students, regardless of their location,can benefit from affordable and nutritious food choices.

UKM Menu Siswa Rahmah offers breakfast (fried meals + drink) at price RM3 and lunch at RM3.50 (white rice + 1 meal + 1 vegetable meal + drink)	UKM students enjoying Menu Siswa Rahmah
UKM Menu Siswa Rahmah offering RM3.50 for Chicken

UKM’s adoption of the Menu Siswa Rahmah initiative is a testament to the university’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger. By providing healthy and affordable meal options to students across all campuses at all food outlets, UKM is playing a critical role in alleviating food insecurity and ensuring that all students have access to the nutrition they need to thrive. This initiative not only addresses the immediate needs of students but also fosters a supportive and inclusive campus environment where everyone can focus on their education without the worry of financial strain from food costs. UKM will continue to work towards enhancing food security on campus, ensuring that all students can access nutritious meals that support their health and academic success.