As the Malaysian Ringgit hits new highs, many Malaysians are asking a familiar question: when will daily expenses, especially food, actually become cheaper?
A post on Xiaohongshu sparked a lively discussion when a user jokingly asked, “Now that the Ringgit has gone up, can wanton noodles go back to RM4 or RM5?” The post quickly went viral, garnering over 260 likes and 200 comments from people sharing the same frustration.
The Ringgit is currently trading at RM3.17 to 1 SGD and RM4.13 to 1 USD, marking one of its strongest performances in recent years. Earlier this year, it had fallen to over RM4.50 per USD. Typically, a stronger Ringgit should lower the cost of imported goods and boost purchasing power.
Yet, many Malaysians report seeing no change at hawker stalls or grocery stores. Popular dishes such as bak kut teh have jumped from RM14 to RM23, despite the currency rebound.
Some stall operators explained that rising costs of rent, labour, and utilities keep prices high. “We don’t just raise prices for fun — we’re struggling too,” said one vendor, noting that even with 100 bowls sold, profit per bowl remains only RM3–4.
Users also noted that while imported ingredients may be cheaper, the savings rarely reach consumers. “Businesses keep the margin; prices rarely go down once they’ve increased,” one netizen commented.
Many agreed that once food prices rise, they rarely fall, regardless of exchange rate fluctuations. Some pointed out that falling prices aren’t always good for the economy, as they may signal a downturn.
For now, despite a stronger Ringgit, Malaysians continue to wait for a break in their wallets — and for that nostalgic RM5 bowl of wanton noodles.
