KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 -- The federal government should ensure its Menu Rahmah initiative could continue helping Malaysians afford simple nutritious meals, said proponents who expressed concern over the apparent decline of the programme.

Once ubiquitous - with participants ranging from roadside stalls to multinational chains - informal surveys by Malay Mail have found the campaign to have waned significantly since its launch by the late Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, the previous domestic trade and cost of living minister.

Salahuddin came up with the plan to give Malaysians, particularly low- and middle-income earners, access to affordable meals, targeting at the time for participating food outlets to sell items under the Menu Rahmah for R...