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THE expansion of the MADANI Rahmah Sales programme to three times a month in every state constituency is being welcomed as direct and practical relief for households grappling with the rising cost of living, with residents describing it as one of the most tangible forms of government support.
Carpenter Mohamad Rizal Husin, 45, said his family looks forward to the programme every month because it allows them to buy essential food items at prices far below those at regular markets.
“Chicken is sold at RM10, compared to the tens of ringgit at regular markets. Even with a limit of three per buyer, it still helps me save a lot,” Bernama quoted him saying.
Rizal said the sales, usually held toward the end of the month at the Telaga Hang Tuah bus parking area, consistently attract large crowds as residents rush to secure basic necessities at discounted prices.
Sharing a similar experience, Ahmad Jaafar, 59, from Bukit Duyong, said he regularly attends the weekend sales at the same location to stock up for his household.
“It usually starts at 8.30 am. Vegetables, rice, eggs and chicken sell out within four hours. Many people turn up to buy necessities, and it can become crowded, especially during festive seasons,” said Ahmad, who works as a labourer.
At the constituency level, Duyong assemblyman Datuk Mohd Noor Helmy Abdul Halem said the programme has had a significant economic impact.
He revealed that MADANI Rahmah Sales generated more than RM3 million in sales in his constituency last year alone.
“The programme was organised with a subsidy of approximately RM1.6 million, and it has been warmly received by residents, whether held as a mobile initiative or at supermarkets,” he said.
He added that he fully supports the Prime Minister’s decision to increase the frequency of the sales.
“I fully support the Prime Minister’s announcement to increase its frequency to three times per month, as this will significantly help families reduce their living expenses,” he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the expansion of the programme during his address at the Prime Minister’s Department monthly assembly and the 2026 New Year Address in Putrajaya on Tuesday.
He said the enhanced schedule would begin on Jan 9.
Under the expanded rollout, MADANI Rahmah Sales will now be held three times a month in all 600 state constituencies, with an additional 40 locations in the Federal Territories. Nationwide, the move will result in more than 23,000 sales events aimed at ensuring essential goods are sold below market prices.
The programme, launched on Jan 11, 2023, is a key initiative under the Payung RAHMAH framework and is managed by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living. It offers discounts of between 10 and 30 per cent on selected daily necessities.
Previously, the sales were held at least twice a month, but the increased frequency reflects the government’s push to provide more consistent support as households continue to face pressure from higher living costs. - January 6, 2025
