When a well-loved Penang restaurant was approached by an influencer offering to promote them on social media for RM2,000, they decided to take a different route — one that’s earning praise from Malaysians online.
Instead of paying for publicity, Nasi Kandar Sulaiman (NKS) chose to use their own popular platform to help small business owners who can’t afford such hefty fees.
Photo via Facebook (Nasi Kandar Sulaiman)
In a heartfelt post on Facebook, NKS shared the inspiration behind their decision.
According to them, the influencer had offered to promote NKS on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, complete with a rate card detailing the RM2,000 charge, “For big brands, maybe that’s nothing,” they wrote. “But for small traders running stalls or selling by the roadside, that kind of money is out of reach.”
Recognising how many small businesses offer amazing food and warm service — yet still struggle with visibility and sales — NKS decided to lend a helping hand using the reach they’ve gained through their own social media presence.
“Some of them can barely cover daily costs. So how are they supposed to afford digital promotions?” they added.
Their solution? Offer free shoutouts to small vendors in need of exposure, “I believe one of the reasons this page has grown is so it can be used to help others. If this is one of the ways I can give back, then I’ll continue doing it. InsyaAllah.”
To kick things off, they featured a humble Ayam Penyet stall operating just in front of the Rope Walk Guest House in Penang, encouraging followers to give the vendor a try.
The response has been overwhelmingly supportive. Many praised NKS for using their platform as a form of charity, calling it a unique and impactful way to give back: “Not everyone can afford video shoots or ad slots,” one commenter wrote.
“But using your own success and following to help others — that’s beautiful. May NKS continue to grow and be blessed with abundance.”
Saya tergerak hati untuk nak promote peniaga-peniaga kecil ini sebab baru-baru ini ada seorang influencer mesej saya...
Posted by Nasi Kandar Sulaiman on Tuesday 27 May 2025
In a time where social media is often driven by paid content, NKS’s choice to lift others up for free is a reminder that kindness still sells — and it leaves a lasting impression.
