The Domestic Trade Ministry is considering using transport firms to run Rahmah Sales in remote Sabah and Sarawak, aiming to overcome high logistics costs that deter current operators
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living is studying a plan to appoint transport companies as operators of the MADANI Rahmah Sales Programme in the interior of Sabah and Sarawak.
Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh said this potential move addresses the high logistics costs that prevent existing operators from reaching remote areas.
“The programme sometimes does not reach interior areas because operators are unwilling to travel there due to transportation cost challenges,” she told the Dewan Negara.
She explained that transport firms could be suitable as they already receive logistics subsidies from the ministry.
Fuziah was responding to a question from Senator Abun Sui Anyit on stabilising prices in remote regions.
The ministry has allocated RM67 million this year under a Port-to-Port initiative to standardise prices of basic goods in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan.
This subsidy covers shipping costs from Port Klang to major ports like Kuching and Kota Kinabalu to keep prices stable.
A further RM250 million is allocated under the Essential Goods Distribution Program for 1,570 interior locations needing Point of Sale facilities.
Fuziah said 1,480 of these locations are in Sabah and Sarawak.
The allocation is for transporters appointed via tender to deliver goods directly to these interior points.
Meanwhile, KPDN has completed a Price Stability Study and formed a technical working group with state governments and industry.
This group will develop a long-term price stability strategy for the country.
The ministry will also review the need to increase the number of sales points in uncovered areas under the 13th Malaysia Plan.