The Economy Ministry has applied for an extension of the IPR-INSAN programme to continue benefiting B40 entrepreneurs and consumers with affordable food.
ARAU: The Ministry of Economy aims to continue strengthening the implementation of the People’s Income Initiative – Food Entrepreneur Initiative (IPR-INSAN), given the wide-ranging benefits it provides to B40 entrepreneurs and consumers.
In line with this, Economy Minister Datuk Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the ministry has decided to apply to the Ministry of Finance for an extension of the programme.
“The ministry’s monitoring on the ground shows that the programme delivers comprehensive benefits to participants and consumers, particularly B40 entrepreneurs, while customers are able to enjoy products at very reasonable prices,” he told reporters after a working visit to Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) here today.
During the visit, Akmal Nasrullah observed the implementation of IPR-INSAN through two vending machines that enable entrepreneurs to market cooked food to the campus community, in addition to visiting the Food Bank and MADANI Dapur Siswa (student kitchen).
He said the vending machine initiative connects B40 entrepreneurs with consumers through the provision of cooked food at affordable prices, helping university students gain access to reasonably priced meals.
Akmal Nasrullah also thanked UniMAP, student volunteers and the private sector for ensuring the success of the Food Bank and MADANI Dapur Siswa initiatives, which help safeguard student welfare and allow them to focus on their studies.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued in conjunction with the minister’s visit, UniMAP said the IPR-INSAN programme involved two vending machine locations, namely at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Residential College and the Tuanku Tengku Fauziah Residential College.
According to the university, the visit enabled the minister to observe firsthand the impact of the initiative in helping increase entrepreneurs’ income through a more systematic and accessible business platform.
“At the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Residential College, programme participant Norleyana Nordin, who operates a homemade food business through a vending machine, recorded average monthly sales of RM2,178.80, with sales peaking at RM4,905 in January this year.
“Meanwhile, at the Tuanku Tengku Fauziah Residential College, Noor Hasfalela Mohd Noor recorded average monthly sales of RM4,595, with the highest monthly sales reaching RM10,012 in January, followed by RM5,049 in February 2026 and RM4,868 in April 2026,” UniMAP said.
The university said the achievements demonstrate that the IPR-INSAN vending machine initiative not only provides the campus community with faster and easier access to food, but also creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to generate sustainable income through technology and an innovative business model.
