RAHMAH MADANI SALES EXPANSION SHOWS GOVT’S COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING THE PEOPLE

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 3 (Bernama) -- For families in small towns, rural villages, and urban areas struggling to afford grocery expenses and daily commitments, the expansion of the Rahmah MADANI Sales Programme (PJRM) through the RM600 million allocation under Budget 2026 is a long-awaited lifeline to ease cost-of-living pressures.

Ledang Member of Parliament Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said the initiative by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) plays a key role in helping the B40 and M40 communities, particularly in rural areas.

This is because essential goods are offered at prices 10 per cent to 30 per cent lower than the local market rate, directly benefitting consumers dealing with rising daily expenses.

“With its expansion to all parliamentary and state constituencies, residents of Ledang, for instance, will enjoy more frequent and wider benefits, not only in Tangkak but also in Sagil, Serom, and Bukit Gambir,” he told Bernama.

More than 20,000 Ledang residents have benefitted from 80 PJRM sales since January, covering open-air sales, supermarkets, and mobile outreach to villages. The number of sessions is expected to increase by at least 30 per cent to 40 per cent next year following the additional funding.

Syed Ibrahim also suggested improvements, including ensuring that programme schedules do not clash with working hours and expanding the participation of local traders and cooperatives for broader consumer impact.

“The RAHMAH initiative is not merely a short-term solution to address the cost of living but reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring no one is left behind,” he said. He also suggested the introduction of membership cards and combo packages for essential goods to further enhance consumer benefits.

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) chief executive officer Dr T. Saravanan said a structured implementation must accompany PJRM’s expansion to ensure assistance truly reaches the most affected groups.

“What matters is not just the number of programmes but their effectiveness in reaching the most vulnerable households. Strengthening the coordination of data on vulnerable groups, price monitoring, and vendor quality standards is crucial to prevent misuse or superficial discounts,” he added.

He also proposed that the government publish periodic reports on programme reach, including locations, income groups served, and total savings. Additionally, feedback channels such as QR codes or hotlines at programme sites should be made available to facilitate prompt responses to complaints.

Saravanan said interventions like PJRM must go hand-in-hand with structural reforms, including salary increments and supply chain efficiency, as rising food prices cannot be fully addressed through controlled-price programmes alone.

Meanwhile, private-sector employee, Izlaily Nurul Ain Hussein, 38, said PJRM is one of the most anticipated programmes among residents as it offers essential goods at prices lower than the market, helping reduce her monthly grocery spending.

The mother of four said organising the programme near residential areas greatly benefits those who do not have time to visit supermarkets, particularly working parents or those caring for small children.

“You can really feel the savings when buying through PJRM, especially for cooking oil, chicken, and dry goods. We hope it can be held more frequently and expanded to more locations so that more people can benefit. More product choices would also be helpful,” she said.

She added that the programme’s expansion shows the government’s attentiveness to public concerns, particularly as subsidies are channelled directly through lower prices, helping B40 and M40 households access essential goods at affordable prices, even those living far from urban centres.

For civil servant Mohd Dzyauddin Md Yusoff, 40, the expansion of PJRM has directly benefitted rural and interior residents who previously depended on supermarkets in nearby towns for reasonably priced necessities.

The father of three said with local supermarkets and traders also participating in PJRM, village residents now find it easier to obtain essential goods as the supply is more organised and consistently available.

“For those of us in rural areas, subsidies through PJRM are truly felt because people can buy groceries at lower prices without having to travel to town. It shows the government genuinely cares about the people’s situation, especially those affected by today’s high cost of living,” he said.

He also hoped the programme would continue and be further improved, as, aside from reducing household spending, PJRM helps local traders and boosts community purchasing power, especially in rural areas.

KPDN Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali previously stated that PJRM has received the most positive public response, according to the findings from its impact assessment of the RAHMAH Umbrella initiative.

The PJRM initiative is seen as a success, with a significant increase in the number of sessions organised. KPDN is targeting 20,000 PJRM programme this year, thereby improving public access to essential goods at lower prices.

Armizan said this target represents a 190 per cent increase compared to 2023 and 61 per cent compared to 2024, following the additional allocation announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on July 23, 2025, to ease the people’s cost of living.

As of mid-November 2025, 21,357 PJRM sales have been organised nationwide, surpassing the annual target of 15,360 sessions and benefitting 22,988,645 people. The number will continue to rise, covering 222 parliamentary constituencies, 600 state constituencies, and 40 zones in the Federal Territories.

-- BERNAMA