Buyers are required to show their identity card at the start of the queue to make purchases. — Photos: WILLIAM GARY/The Star
LOCAL folk gathered early at the Yeong Leong Beow Temple in Section 17, Petaling Jaya to shop for groceries during the Jualan Ehsan Rahmah (JER) programme.
The programme was organised by the Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS) in collaboration with Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran.
Bukit Gasing service centre special assistant Mohd Razman Bakri said the initiative was carried out to help local citizens buy groceries at affordable prices.
“I hope that the programme is beneficial to locals, especially the B40 group, so they can buy goods without having to worry about spending too much,” he said.
According to Mohd Razman, the programme was only open to locals with purchasers required to show their identity card at the start of the queue to make purchases.
PKPS representative and JER programme person-in-charge Muhammad Syahmi Asymawi, 28, said he was happy that the programme was well-received by the public.
Muhammad Syahmi is glad that the programme is well-received by the public.
“For subsidised goods, we have supplied 500 chickens, 200 frozen meat (950g per pack), 200 frozen fish, 300 trays of eggs, 300 bags of rice (5kg per bag), 72 bottles of cooking oil (5kg per bottle) and 120 packets of sugar (1kg per pack) as these items are essential items needed by the public.
“The items are sold at fixed prices, and each buyer can purchase the subsidised goods at fixed quantities,” he said.
The prices of the subsidised goods were RM10 for one chicken, RM10 for one pack of frozen meat, RM6 for one pack of frozen fish, RM10 for one tray of eggs, RM13 for one bag of rice, RM25 for a bottle of oil and RM2.85 for a pack of sugar.
However, he said purchasers could buy more if there was surplus stock since unsold products would have to be returned by the end of the programme.
“We ensure that the people are able to purchase subsidised goods at the quantities they need, provided that there is extra stock,” said Muhammad Syahmi.
Other items sold during the programme included flour, rice vermicelli, oyster sauce, soy sauce, canned sardines and biscuits.
Locals happy to be able to get groceries at affordable prices.
Kampung Baru Seri Damansara resident Siew Xiao Yun, 80, said the programme was helpful because it helped her save a lot on grocery expenses.
Housewife Pushpa Devi, 45, said she was able to purchase ingredients without straining her budget.
“Prices of goods, especially chicken and oil, are increasing in the market. I cook every day, so it can be a struggle.
“Through the programme, I am able to purchase one chicken at RM10, and a bottle of oil (5kg) at RM25, which is really affordable,” said Pushpa.
Hazalina Abdul Hamid, 48, who is a single mother, expressed gratitude for the programme.
“I spend RM200 per week on groceries, and the financial burden is significant, considering I have to support my three children who are still studying.
“With the JER programme, I am able to get quality goods at lower prices, which helps reduce my grocery bills.
“Today’s purchases will last me until the fasting month,” she told StarMetro.
