The Malaysian Insight

“EAT now, pay later” is the motto at Muzi Canteen in Kepong, which provides free meals to those who have lost jobs or face financial difficulties because of Covid-19.

“If you want to eat, but don’t have any money, you are welcome to come and eat, and pay later,” said owner Jully Yap Ooi Lee who has been operating the eatery for two months.

Muzi Canteen only officially opened on October 12 and by then was already popular as word spread about its generosity.

“When we first started, a 25-year-old man would come every day to eat two plates of rice. After eating, he would ask us to pack more for him to take home to his family.

“In the beginning, we only allowed him to pack for three people. But we began talking to him and finding out about this situation.

“He is a college student majoring in design and he is also working as a customer service representative. He’s the only one in his family of eight to work, as his sister lost her job due to the pandemic,” said Ong.

The young man would also take a public bus from Subang to the bus stop near Muzi Canteen every day.

“We now prepare seven to eight meals daily for him to take home,” Ong said.

‘Right to a meal’

When the canteen first opened, Ong said the management was prepared for the fact that some people won’t be able to pay for their meals.

But she and a friend, whom she calls Li, believe that their venture had to be run on the idea that every person has a right to a meal, no matter how little money they had.

Donations are encouraged and a box is available, but Ong said they braced themselves to find it empty at the end of each day.

However, many people began to donate fresh vegetables, dry food and even tanks of cooking gas.

“So, we list the items we need and people donate them to us. I am really grateful for those who are so enthusiastic about helping others.”

Ong recalls the case of one man who sold his watch to raise funds for the canteen’s operations.

“Society is not as sick as we sometimes say it is, nor is it indifferent. There are many kind-hearted people.

“This gives us the strength to keep going.”

Volunteer help

Ong, who has had experience doing social work, said while the cooking is handled by a professional chef, other workers at the canteen are volunteers.

They comprise friends, their mothers and the mothers’ friends, all of whom are mostly home-makers. They take turns working at the canteen.

The canteen also accepts help from those who want to pay for their meals in some form but don’t have the cash.

“We are here regardless of religion or race. After the opening, every race would come to eat.

“If you are really hungry, don’t be embarrassed. But if you don’t have any money and are embarrassed to eat free meals, you are welcome to volunteer and exchange your labour for food.

The food served at Muzi Canteen is vegetarian to cater to people of all ethnicities.

“Li, who came up with this initiative, is a vegetarian and has always wanted to set up a vegetarian restaurant. We decided to combine my many years of experience in social work and his dream into what is now Muzi Canteen,” said Ong.

Six to eight vegetarian dishes made from a variety of vegetables, gourds and beans are prepared every day, as well as a drink.

The emphasis is on using less oil, sugar, and salt, and no MSG, while the vegetarian-only menu is meant to promote awareness about environmental sustainability.

Ong said the canteen has a strong supporter in Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng, who helps them find funders.

“The volunteers sometimes worry if the money in the donation box will be enough but I try to encourage everyone to focus on how their labour has helped to feed needy people.”

Ong said when the pandemic stabilises, there were plans for the canteen to hold other activities and offer free services, such as consultations in traditional Chinese medicine, haircuts for the elderly and vegetarian cooking lessons for the public.

“I hope people can donate or spread the word around about Muzi Canteen,” she said. – October 31, 2020.