Mersing: Mak Yah Mersing's Nasi Dagang at the Kampung Bahagia Public Market here has maintained its price of RM2 per packet for over a decade, making it an affordable breakfast option. According to BERNAMA News Agency, Rabiah Jais, 72, better known as Mak Yah, said that many vendors struggle with rising ingredient prices, but she makes an effort to keep her prices low so customers can still enjoy the traditional dish. "We want to make sure customers, especially large families, can afford to buy the nasi dagang, especially in the current economic climate," she told Bernama recently. The mother of four said the small packets are wrapped in banana leaves, along with gulai and ikan tonggol (mackerel tuna), which enhances the aroma and attracts customers, in line with the price offered. Rabiah, who hails from Muar and moved to Mersing with her family, inherited the nasi dagang business from her late mother, Zainon Awang, who began selling at the district's old bus terminal market in the 1960s. "We saw the poten tial in a district known for its East Coast traditions, not only in food, but also in the language, village atmosphere and lifestyle," she said. Rabiah added that her family's heritage nasi dagang recipe has been slightly adapted to local tastes without changing the dish's original identity. "We tweak the recipe a little to suit the local preference for spiciness and sweetness and remain consistent," she said. Rabiah also employs five people, comprising two cooks and three assistants. She said about 15 kilograms (kg) of rice are used daily to produce roughly 500 packets of nasi dagang, and that amount can rise to 40 kg on weekends due to higher demand. During the festive season, she said, peak demand can reach up to 90 kg a day from orders and direct sales to customers. "The use of santan (coconut milk), banana leaves and fresh mackerel helps preserve the quality and flavour of this dish, which can last until evening at room temperature," she added. Rabiah said she also caters to direct orders, priced betwe en RM3 and RM5, usually from various government agencies and royal institutions. Her estimated net daily earnings are around RM150 after accounting for raw materials, labour and other costs, while the highest monthly income recorded reached about RM10,000 during the festive period. Rabiah plans to expand the family's heritage nasi dagang business, which currently operates from 7.30 am until it sells out, by training her children to ensure its continuity. She said the nasi dagang is now available across Iskandar Puteri under the Nasi Dagang Anak Mak Yah brand, through nine vendors. "In addition to direct sales, we also accept advance orders and cash-on-delivery (COD), making it easier for customers to get the product without having to travel to Mersing," she said. Rabiah added that her product is also popular with Malaysians who have migrated to Singapore and Hong Kong, who would freeze the nasi dagang before taking it back with them.