By Doreen Ling
KUCHING, July 19: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) is looking at the most suitable mechanism to help ease the burden of high transportation costs for residents in areas like Limbang and Labuan.
Using Labuan to illustrate the issue, KPDN Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said consumer goods in the federal territory are generally more expensive because transporting supplies from Sabah adds to costs.
“I think residents in Limbang face a similar challenge too, and the matter will be discussed and studied with the Finance Ministry (MOF) to identify a long-term solution,” he said in a press conference after the Subsidised Diesel Control System (SKDS) fleet card presentation ceremony at Kampung Patau-Patau 2 in Labuan today.
On the Rahmah Madani Sales Programme, Armizan said KPDN was prepared to hold the programme more frequently in response to local needs, especially in areas where essential goods are more expensive, to help ease the burden on consumers.
However, he acknowledged concerns from grocery store operators that holding the programme too frequently could affect their daily income.
Armizan said the programme should be carefully scheduled and targeted to ensure consumers benefit from lower-priced essentials without adversely affecting local retailers’ livelihoods.
Under the programme, essential goods are sold at prices 10 to 30 per cent lower than market rates through nine monthly sales held at selected locations in every state and district nationwide. — DayakDaily
