Singapore’s Warning Sign Is Malaysia Next?

Harapandaily

By Effendy Zulkifly

Over 300 restaurants in Singapore have closed not from bad food or poor service, but because people can’t afford to eat out.

It’s more than just a business problem. It’s a reflection of rising living costs even in one of Asia’s richest nations.

In Malaysia, we’re still fortunate. You can still find nasi lemak for RM2 or a decent meal under RM10. But for how long?

Price hikes, thin margins, and supply chain issues are closing in. If we ignore the signals, we’ll face the same spiral.

Costs rise to profits shrink to businesses fold to less choice to higher prices then the people suffers.

We need a long-term food strategy not just to protect prices, but to secure the whole ecosystem.

Insights from BCG and McKinsey confirm that modern food resilience must combine tech, supply chain reform, and consumer affordability.

At Harvard Kennedy School, food strategy is now tied directly to national stability. Not just agriculture but governance.

Here’s what Malaysia must act on:

  1. Smart Farming with AI and Blockchain.
    Use AI to predict demand, monitor harvests, and trace food via blockchain. EY shows precision farming can cut 20–30% of waste and cost.
  2. Support Micro Food Entrepreneurs
    Gerai, warung, food stalls they are our grassroots. Equip them with funding, POS tech, and local delivery integration.
  3. University–Industry Innovation.
    UPM, USM, UMK must drive food research that reaches the market. MIT calls this “lab-to-table transformation.”
  4. Make Food Policy Data-Driven.
    Food affordability should be a national KPI. Deloitte found a direct link between food access and public trust in government.

This isn’t just about lunch. It’s about trust, stability, and sovereignty.

I believe Malaysia needs a Food Sovereignty Plan 2050, with smart, inclusive, and future-proof strategies. When people can’t afford basic meals, we don’t just lose restaurants. We lose dignity.

Let’s not wait until eating out becomes a luxury.

Effendy Zulkifly is the founder and principal thinker behind the Centre for AI, Blockchain & Advanced Research (CABAR), a movement advocating for ethical artificial intelligence (AI), high-impact blockchain innovation, and digital sovereignty for the future of Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

The above article was first published on LinkedIn.