KPDN ALLOCATES OVER RM200 MILLION TO ENSURE STABLE SUPPLIES IN SABAH

By Muhammad Adil Muzaffar Mohd Fisol

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 27 (Bernama) -- The government, through the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), has allocated nearly RM202.5 million for the Essential Goods Distribution Programme (PPB) in Sabah.

This initiative aims to ensure that the people continue to receive stable supplies and affordable prices from May 2025 to April 2027.

In an exclusive interview with Bernama, Sabah KPDN director Shahril Nizam Shahidin said the allocation includes RM40.8 million for essential goods distribution, RM17.3 million for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and RM144.4 million for the Community Drumming component. 

Community Drumming refers to the mechanism for delivering goods to remote areas.

Shahril Nizam emphasised that the government's priority in Sabah is to ensure fair access to stable supplies and reasonable prices, including for those in the most remote regions.

“This demonstrates the government's commitment to the well-being of the people,” he said.

Through PPB, essential items such as rice, sugar, cooking oil, wheat flour, LPG, RON95 petrol, and diesel are delivered directly from supply centres to retail outlets via government appointed transporters, ensuring fair access for all segments of society.

So far, the programme has been implemented in 78 distribution zones, covering 228 areas, with 59 transporters supplying goods to 600 retail outlets across Sabah.

“This is part of the government's effort to ensure that people, especially those in remote areas and small islands, continue to receive essential goods at controlled prices,” Shahril Nizam said.

In addition to PPB, Shahril Nizam also highlighted the Rahmah Madani Sales Programme (PJRM), which offers discounts of 10 to 30 per cent on selected goods, helping to keep prices low.

He added that the combination of PPB and PJRM helps narrow the price gap between urban and rural areas, directly benefiting the people in Sabah.

“We want rural communities to pay the same prices as those in the cities. To achieve this, the government is covering part of the logistics costs, demonstrating its commitment to the people's welfare,” he said.

Shahril Nizam further emphasised that KPDN in Sabah continues to enforce price controls and manage supply chains to prevent sudden price hikes.

“Our price monitoring officers track 480 items on a daily basis, 186 items weekly, and 74 items monthly. These efforts cover the entire supply chain, from supply to retail, ensuring that no one takes advantage of the situation,” he said.

He added that these efforts align with the vision of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, who aims for Sabah to become a model for monitoring and managing the cost of living in the country.

“The Minister wants Sabah to be an example of how the government works tirelessly to ensure that the people benefit directly and continuously.

“We hope Sabah will serve as a model for effective cost-of-living management, with the people recognising the government's commitment to their welfare,” Shahril Nizam added.

-- BERNAMA