PASIR GUDANG: Students from two nearby universities call Norhidayat Jamal their hero because his chicken rice is priced at an unbelievable RM1. It is a godsend when their stomachs rumble and their pockets are dry.

His outlet – Cemara Urban Restaurant – created a buzz in Bander Seri Alam here nine days ago when it began selling chicken rice for only RM1 each.

It has since become the favourite hang-out place for university students.

Norhidayat, 30, who manages the family restaurant with his parents, said the chicken rice is available every day from 11am until 1am, limited to 500 plates a day.

The dish is usually sold out by 9pm and sometimes as early as 4pm.

“We moved from our previous location in Tanjung Langsat about six months ago and since this place is close to the universities, we deci­ded to offer student-friendly prices.

“This is our way of giving back to society and we hope that the public, especially students, can benefit from this,” he said, adding about 80% of his customers are Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Pasir Gudang campus and Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Institute of Industrial Technology (UniKL MITEC) students.

Norhidayat said the idea had been on his mind for over a year and it took him some time to convince his family.

“We don’t earn much from the chicken rice but we are able to sustain the business with other food and beverages available on the menu.

“We’re also subletting this restaurant to a few stalls selling a variety of food which also suit students’ budget,” he said.

Among customers having lunch in the restaurant was UiTM student Nur Anis Baqsisya, 19, who said she and her friends usually took at least two plates each on days they have no time for breakfast.

Another student, Muhammad Akmal Syazwan, 19, said the chicken rice is cheaper than any of the food available at the campus.

“As a student, we have a very tight budget and it makes a huge difference when we are able to get food this cheap.

“It allows us to save money up for other important stuff like stationery and books,” he said.