Heightened anxiety in JB due to high cost of living

Higher food prices are a major concern among callers, says Johor Baru Befrienders. — Filepic

MANY struggling to cope with the higher cost of living are turning to Johor Baru Befrienders.

Its president Danny Loo said those who called were worried about their finances.

“Feedback from our volunteers indicate that callers are concerned with the hike in food prices and their reduced purchasing power,” he said when contacted.

Loo said the majority of callers were working adults aged between 30 and 50, with equal numbers of men and women.

He also said that volunteers received more calls in the late evening.

“We receive more calls between 9.30pm and midnight although we operate from 1pm.

“People are less preoccupied towards the end of the day.”

He said the start of 2024 was financially challenging for many celebrating Chinese New Year and returning to their hometowns.

Loo said families with schoolgoing children also had to spend more on necessities.

He said Ramadan, along with Hari Raya Aidilfitri that was expected to fall on either April 10 or 11, meant another round of expenditure for households.

“Financial difficulties can lead to disharmony in families,” he said.

He added that dual-income households, where both husband and wife worked, were a norm in the state capital due to the high cost of living.

“In fact, food prices in Johor Baru are higher now than in the Klang Valley,” Loo noted.

He said this was due to the perception that the majority of residents worked across the Causeway and earned in Singapore dollars.

“Singaporeans who shop and dine here also contribute to costlier food,” he said.

He expects worsening financial anxiety among Malaysians working in Singapore as, according to the Singapore Manpower Ministry, retrenchment in the republic doubled last year compared to 2022.

Separately, Loo said Johor Baru Befrienders needed about RM30,000 to equip its new training hall with computers, projectors, tables, chairs and air-conditioners.

Befrienders Johor Baru was set up in August 2006 and has 56 volunteers to date.

For more details, call Loo at 017-219 2789.