KESUM — When Governance Becomes Compassion

KESUM — When Governance Becomes Compassion | Bila Tadbir Menjadi Kasih
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KESUM — When Governance Becomes Compassion

By Amarjeet Singh @ AJ • A message to leaders: less politics, more people.

“Kesum won’t last; it’ll fold soon!” That’s the easy take when YB Rafizi Ramli launched Kesum, a social-enterprise eatery with RM5 meals. But look closer: this isn’t about profit; it’s about purpose. It’s not a restaurant—it’s a promise that dignity should be affordable.

“When leaders stop chasing applause and start feeding the hungry, that’s when governance turns into grace.”

Why Kesum Matters

Traditional F&B pricing splits into a third ingredients, a third overheads, and a third profit. Kesum removes profit and replaces it with purpose. RM5 isn’t a loophole—it’s a lifeline. This is governance that feeds first and talks later.

From Welfare to Empowerment

Kesum isn’t charity. It’s dignity in action: affordable meals, local jobs, community pride. It revives a proven model many students once relied on—subsidised, sustainable, and people-first.

“A great government doesn’t just count votes. It counts how many people it helped stand tall again.”

Scale It: One Kesum in Every Constituency

  • 1 Kesum per Parliament & State seat—situated where living costs bite hardest.
  • Hire from B40 communities; pay fair wages and train for growth.
  • “Buy a Meal for Others”—let customers sponsor meals discreetly.
  • CSR & GLC partnerships—rent relief, utilities support, fit-out grants.
  • Transparent pricing dashboard—show costs, sponsors, and meals served.

Government’s Best Role (Do This, Not Drama)

  • Policy support: fast-track licensing, simplified food-handler approvals.
  • Targeted subsidies: rice, chicken, cooking oil for social kitchens.
  • Micro-grants: kitchen equipment, POS, hygiene & safety upgrades.
  • Public facilities: allow night use of community halls as pop-up canteens.
  • Measurement: publish monthly “Meals Served” & “Cost per Meal”.
“Real leadership begins when politics ends.”

A Call to MPs, ADUNs & Corporates

Less grandstanding, more ground serving. If you hold public trust—or corporate capital—ask yourself: Where is your Kesum? Feed your people. Lift your communities. Let Malaysia heal through everyday kindness.

Written by: Amarjeet Singh @ AJ — Consultant • Community Builder • Believer in Human-Centred Governance

Quote pack you may reuse: “Compassion can be policy.” · “Kindness scales when leaders choose it.” · “A hot meal is the shortest distance between policy and people.”

Bahasa Malaysia

KESUM — Bila Tadbir Menjadi Kasih

Oleh Amarjeet Singh @ AJ • Seruan kepada pemimpin: kurangkan drama, lebihkan manusia.

“Kesum tak lama; sekejap lagi bungkus!” Itulah komen mudah bila YB Rafizi Ramli melancarkan Kesum dengan hidangan RM5. Namun, ini bukan soal keuntungan—ini soal tujuan. Kesum bukan sekadar kedai makan; ia satu ikrar bahawa maruah mesti mampu dibeli oleh semua.

“Saat pemimpin berhenti mengejar tepukan dan mulai mengenyangkan yang lapar, ketika itu pentadbiran berubah menjadi rahmat.”

Mengapa Kesum Penting

Harga F&B lazimnya: sepertiga bahan, sepertiga kos operasi, sepertiga untung. Kesum menanggalkan untung dan menggantikannya dengan tujuan. RM5 bukan helah—ia talian hayat. Ini tadbir urus yang mengenyangkan dulu, berbicara kemudian.

Dari Kebajikan ke Pemberdayaan

Kesum bukan sedekah. Ia maruah yang digerakkan: makanan mampu milik, peluang kerja tempatan, dan harga diri komuniti. Ia menghidupkan semula model terbukti—disubsidi, lestari, dan mendahulukan rakyat.

“Kerajaan yang hebat bukan menghitung undi semata; ia menghitung berapa ramai yang kembali berdiri bermaruah.”

Skala Besar: Satu Kesum Setiap Parlimen & DUN

  • 1 Kesum setiap kawasan—di lokasi kos sara hidup paling tinggi.
  • Gaji & latihan untuk pekerja komuniti B40; laluan kerjaya jelas.
  • “Belanja Satu Hidangan”—pelanggan boleh taja makan secara berhemah.
  • Kerjasama CSR & GLC—sewa rendah, utiliti disokong, geran ubah suai.
  • Papan pemuka telus—papar kos, penaja, dan jumlah hidangan disaji.

Peranan Terbaik Kerajaan (Buat Ini, Bukan Drama)

  • Sokongan dasar: percepat lesen, mudahkan kelulusan pengendali makanan.
  • Subsidi bersasar: beras, ayam, minyak masak bagi dapur sosial.
  • Geran mikro: peralatan dapur, POS, peningkatan kebersihan & keselamatan.
  • Kemudahan awam: benarkan dewan komuniti beroperasi malam sebagai kantin pop-up.
  • Pengukuran: terbitkan bulanan “Jumlah Hidangan” & “Kos per Hidangan”.
“Kepimpinan sebenar bermula ketika politik berakhir.”

Seruan untuk YB, ADUN & Korporat

Kurangkan sorak, perbanyakkan khidmat. Jika anda memegang amanah awam—atau modal korporat—tanyakan: Di mana Kesum anda? Kenyangkan rakyat anda. Angkat komuniti anda. Biar Malaysia pulih melalui kebaikan seharian.

Ditulis oleh: Amarjeet Singh @ AJ — Konsultan • Pembina Komuniti • Pendukung Tadbir Insani

Pek petikan untuk diguna semula: “Kasih sayang boleh menjadi dasar.” · “Kebaikan membesar apabila pemimpin memilihnya.” · “Sebungkus nasi adalah jarak terpendek antara dasar dan insan.”

Make It a Movement • Jadikannya Gerakan

Leaders, Councils, GLCs, Corporates: adopt one Kesum-style site in your area within 90 days. Publish a simple dashboard: meals served, cost per meal, and sponsors. Keep the politics out; keep the people in.

Start your Kesum now / Mula Kesum anda hari ini

Suggested hashtags: #Kesum #MalaysiaMadani #FeedFirstTalkLater #CommunityKitchen #B40 #CSR

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