Making every ringgit count

The Star

14-07-2025

Welcomed relief: Residents waiting their turn to buy groceries at the Jualan Rahmah programme at Greenlane Heights, Penang. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Shoppers queued with baskets in hand, drawn by prices they had not seen in some time – RM3.90 for instant noodles, RM16.80 for 850gm packs of milk powder, RM11 for a whole chicken (almost 1.4kg) and much more.
About 40 such essential items were up for grabs at the Jualan Rahmah programme at Greenlane Heights, organised by Seri Delima service centre and Greenlane Heights Village Community Management Council (MPKK).
Residents from the neighbourhood were seen leaving with bags of groceries, bought at a discount.
Vijayan Raj, 43, a security guard, said he regularly looks out for locations hosting Jualan Rahmah, where household essential items are sold cheaper than at regular retail shops.
'Jualan Rahmah has helped me cope with the spike in daily expenses. The prices here are much cheaper than in the shops,' he added.
At the event yesterday he said that with his modest earnings and increasing household expenses, the initiative provides a much-needed cushion, especially when purchasing basic food items and necessities.
Tan Teik Lun, 37, said he always finds ways to come to the Jualan Rahmah programme to buy essential items.
'Imagine buying 500gm of potatoes for only RM1, I will not be able to get this price at the morning market or even the grocery store,' said the father of two, who works at a car accessories shop.
He also hopes the government will expand the programme to more communities, especially lower-income urban and semi-urban families.
For Azimah Kamaruddin, 47, a civil servant, she often scrolls through social media to track the latest Jualan Rahmah programme in Penang.
'I always check Facebook and Instagram to find out where the next Jualan Rahmah will be.
'Whenever it's nearby, I make sure to go. The prices are much cheaper, it makes a difference,' she said, adding that she would end up spending much less for groceries, which would normally cost her over RM100.
The mother of five said the initiative helped stretch her monthly salary, especially with the rising cost of basic necessities.
'With five growing children, every Ringgit counts and programmes like Jualan Rahmah help those like me lighten the load,' she said.
Seri Delima assemblyman Connie Tan said the Jualan Rahmah programme yesterday was the 17th edition of the initiative for the people in her constituency.
'The initiative always receives a strong response from the local community,' she added.
Tan said the strategic and convenient location makes it easier for nearby residents who prefer walking to the event.
She said the programme was held two to three times a month at several locations in her constituency to help the community save on groceries.
Describing the programme as a success, Tan said it will continue to be held from time to time to benefit more communities.
She explained that the discounts offered during the sales are fully absorbed by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) through government subsidies, enabling consumers to enjoy lower prices without burdening the traders.
'This is part of the government's commitment to ease the cost of living, especially for the B40 and M40 groups,' she added.
Launched on Jan 11, 2023, the programme introduced by KPDN, aimed at offering daily necessities at discounts ranging from 10% to 30% below local market prices.
It is part of the ministry's broader Payung Rahmah initiative to ease the financial burden on Malaysians.
The initiative provides discounts of 10% to 30% below market prices at major supermarkets and hypermarkets, with priority given to locations with high low-income populations.
The programme is nationwide, spanning all 222 parliamentary constituencies, and includes a wide range of items from food to personal care and school supplies.