A Malaysian woman’s RM39 Ramadan bazaar bill for nasi kerabu and laksam ignites online debate over traders’ pricing

A Malaysian woman has sparked discussion on social media after alleging she was charged RM32 for a single plate of nasi kerabu at a Ramadan bazaar — with many netizens weighing in on food prices and the lack of price displays at bazaar stalls.

The woman shared her experience on Threads.com, saying she visited Bazaar Putra Perdana where she purchased laksam for RM7, while her husband ordered nasi kerabu with “lauk ayam” (chicken curry).

The combined total came to RM39 — implying the nasi kerabu alone was priced at RM32.

She did not hold back in her frustration, questioning why prices were not displayed at the stall.

“You are selling at a high price but did not display the price. Pity those who want to eat but are on a tight budget,” she wrote.

Despite her grievance over the cost, she acknowledged that the food itself met expectations, conceding that the dishes were indeed delicious.

The post quickly gained traction, drawing a range of reactions from fellow users.

Many agreed the pricing was excessive, with one commenter summarising the sentiment in a single word: “expensive.”

Another noted that RM39 could potentially cover three separate plates of nasi kerabu elsewhere.

Not all responses were critical of the trader, however.

Some users raised the possibility that a miscalculation had occurred at the point of sale, with one suggesting a more reasonable breakdown would place the nasi kerabu at around RM15, bringing the total closer to RM22.

The commenter advised buyers to always verify prices before completing their purchase.

The incident also reignited broader concerns about pricing transparency at Ramadan bazaars, with a number of commenters calling on traders to display prices, prominently.

Others encouraged the woman to file a formal complaint with the relevant authorities.

 The Sun Malaysia