KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Rojak and pisang goreng may be the answer to the rising cost of living, says Cuepacs president Omar Osman.

Commenting on the announcement by the prime minister that civil servants would be given permits to run small businesses, Omar Osman said they could open rojak and pisang goreng stalls at night markets and pasar tani to supplement their income.

He said running food-related businesses would mean that they could "close shop" before midnight to get a good night's rest.

Omar said it was important to have the support of department heads and for civil servants to make sure their productivity was not compromised.

"We are bound to get department heads who will be opposed to some of their employees working at night."

He said employees who faced obstacles from their department heads should lodge complaints with Cuepacs.

This article was first published in The New Straits Times on 24 June 2008.