Cooking one's own meal in dormitory: feasible or not?

Is it feasible for students staying outside campus to cook their own meal, as suggested by Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan?

Is it convenient?, asked some students.

Many students feel that the idea of cooking one's meal is a difficult feat. Granted, students feel that they are already bogged down with assignments or projects. Others echoed a different sentiment as they said the idea could be practical if university campuses offered better facilities such as pantries for students to cook.

A quick check by Astro AWANI revealed a series of responses on what's cooking.

Here are some of the first-hand accounts of students both living on and off-campus.


Renuka's expenses per month

i) Accommodation: RM700
ii) Food: RM200
iii) Travel: RM300
Total : RM1,200

Thoughts on 'cook your own meal' advice
"It is very subjective to say that those living off-campus should cook for themselves and need not buy from outside.It can be rather distracting to the busy lives of a studying individual, particularly more so if they work and study, and travel every day.

While cooking at home is far cheaper and albeit the time constraints and healthier, the reason why there is a need to eat out is because of convenience."


Norshakila Tukimin

For 23-year-old biotechnology majors’ student, Norshakila Tukimin who is an on-campus student at the International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan campus, spends about RM550.00 on average per month.

She also at times skips breakfast to save money.
i. Accommodation: RM100
ii. Food: RM350 (skips breakfast to save money).
iii. Travel: RM100
Total : RM550

Thoughts on 'cook your own meal' advice

"Honestly speaking, he got a point, cooking saves a lot. With RM10 you can cook yourself a decent meal for a day or two. For students renting outside campus, I see no problem for them to cook their own food given if they have time for it.

But, this is not easy with the tasks and assignments that they have. Simple dish is enough and it actually saves a lot. But not all of us afford to live outside of campus.

Ahmad Maslan also should also check out the price of food in campus cafetaria which can be expensive. A meal of RM5 should only cost RM3, I think. We can barely survive even with campus food.


I don’t think he should have mentioned cooking at all. I can’t even bring a toaster! The only thing you can cook is Maggie and maybe salad."


Penangite Ooi Xiandi, 18 who is pursuing her pre-university course Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) A-Level at Taylors College, Subang Jaya forks out about RM750 per month.


Ooi's expenses per month

i. Accommodation: -
ii. Food: RM450
iii. Travel: RM300
Total: RM750

Thoughts on 'cook your own meal' advice

"Taylor's college don’t have a campus cafe so the students always eat outside campus. I do have some experience cooking on my own, but seems like it cost more than eating outside.

Self-prepared food is costly because the materials can't be bought in smaller portions, like it's hard to find half a broccoli. To have a variety of food, it will be much costly than eating outside. But food prices in SS15 are quite reasonable so you'll need to compare area to area."

Management & Science University (MSU) student, Nur Suraya Zahrim, 23 who is living with her family spends a total of RM880 for monthly expenses.

Nur Suraya's expenses per month

i. Accommodation: RM0
ii. Food: RM600
iii. Travel: RM280
Total: RM880

Thoughts on 'cook your own meal' advice

"Datuk Ahmad Maslan should have done some research before saying anything to the public. Some universities do not allow cooking in the dorm and they have canteen/food court to depend on. And when the canteen gets too crowded at lunch time, some students opt to eat outside.

Students are also usually busy with assignments and projects and that is why they prefer to eat outside as it is more efficient and faster than cooking all by yourself.

Also, cooking is also not cheap as the students need to fork out to buy groceries and equipments like stove, cooking gas and refrigerator. This will burden the students."


Ravinder Singh Sidhu Amrik Singh

Ravinder Singh Sidhu Amrik Singh, 21 who is a Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) on-campus engineering student spends RM1,300 for his monthly expenses.

Ravinder's expenses per month

i.Accommodation: RM600
ii.Food: RM500
iii.Travel: RM200
Total: RM1,300

Thoughts on 'cook your own meal' advice

"I don't think it's reasonable to cook our own meals as students. We don't have proper facilities in our dorms to store or let alone cook the food.

Cooking equipment is strictly banned in rooms and rightfully so as there are many dangers to it.

Probably this can be done if there are proper facilities provided such as cooking pantry, fridge and stove."

READ: Students criticise Ahmad Maslan's 'cook your own meal' advice

Public 'emotionally affected' by Ahmad Maslan's statement on GST - psychologist

The 'cook your own meal' advice purportedly mooted by Ahmad had gained traction among university and college students.

Students took their displeasure to the social media and Ahmad then defended his suggestion and said it was aimed only at those staying outside campus.