Slashing food bills with subsidised essentials

Residents patiently queueing at Jualan Ehsan Rahmah at Dewan Sri Tanjung, Subang Jaya. — Photos: CHAN TAK KONG/The Star

Sri Tanjung USJ16 flats resident Maznah Abdullah turned up early at Dewan Sri Tanjung in Subang Jaya, Selangor, to shop for groceries at “Jualan Ehsan Rahmah” (JER).

The Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS) lorry was a clue that the state government’s initiative offering essential goods at subsidised prices was being held at her housing area.

“These prices are cheaper than at shops or hypermarkets,” she said.

Maznah: A whole chicken only cost me RM10.

She added that she was able to buy a whole chicken for RM10, which at a wet market would cost her RM22.

Maznah hopes JER could be held monthly to alleviate the burden of poorer households.

Among the 300 residents who made a beeline to the venue was Andrew Richard, who bought a tray of eggs, fish and condensed milk.

“I feel the JER initiative does help the B40 and M40 income groups.

“I hope they can be held monthly due to the rising cost of living,” he said.

The programme was organised by PKPS in collaboration with Subang Jaya assemblyman Michelle Ng.

Ng: Chicken, rice, eggs, cooking oil, fish and meat offered below the market rate.

“At JER, seven essential items are offered at prices below the market rate, namely fresh chicken, rice, eggs, cooking oil, fish, sugar and frozen meat,” said Ng.

Richard: Sale should be held monthly due to rising costs.

She added that the sale was only open to Malaysians, and buyers were required to show their identity card.

PKPS JER person-in-charge Muhamad Nazif Zulkifli said they had supplied chickens, frozen meat (950g per pack), frozen fish, trays of eggs, bags of rice (5kg), bottles of cooking oil (5kg) and packets of sugar (1kg) at the Subang Jaya event.

Other items offered during the programme included flour, oyster sauce, soy sauce, canned sardines and biscuits.