KUALA LUMPUR, February 24 – The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) obtained an allocation of RM100 million to make the Rahmah Sales Program a success in Budget 2023. Its minister, Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said, the large allocation allows the ministry to carry out sales in all 222 parliamentary constituencies to benefit the low-income group. To ensure that the people continue to receive protection in the face of the challenge of rising living costs.
The program to stabilize the people’s living costs is focused on through the Rahmah Umbrella Concept, including the Rahmah Menu Campaign, the Rahmah Basket and the Rahmah Sale. “Through this program, the people will be able to enjoy the price of basic goods up to 30 percent cheaper than the market price,” he said at a press conference after the presentation of Budget 2023 in the Dewan Rakyat on Friday.
According to him, this time’s budget shows that the Unity Government is also concerned about the plight of rural residents. It can be seen through the allocation of RM225 million approved for KPDN to continue the Distribution of Necessary Goods, LPG and Community Drumming Programs. KPDN will implement the distribution of basic necessities to residents in 822 remote areas in Sabah, Sarawak, Terengganu, Pahang, Kelantan and Kedah.
This includes 25 new distribution areas including in Paloh and Passin, Sarawak; Pasir Raja, Terengganu and Kuala Krai, Kelantan and Pahang. “This program will benefit 1.28 million rural residents in the six states, where they will be able to purchase seven essential items, namely wheat flour for general use, coarsely refined white sugar, pure palm cooking oil in 1 kilogram packets/one liter bottles, liquid petroleum gas (LPG) as well as RON95 petrol and diesel at prices set by the government.
“KPDN is committed to ensure that the subsidy allocated will be enjoyed by the deserving group and implement enforcement to prevent leakage of the subsidy,” he said. He explained that the government’s announcement to enact the Consumer Credit Act and establish a Consumer Credit Monitoring Board to regulate credit businesses can also protect the rights of consumers and businesses.
