(From right) Izham, Khairil, Ani and Sri Ternak Group chief executive officer Datuk Raymond Ho Cheng Hann visiting the Ehsan Mart store in Ampang. — Bernama
Six additional subsidised products have been introduced at Ehsan Mart to make essential goods affordable, particularly for the B40 and M40 groups.
Selangor infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim said the items now included detergent, biscuits, flour, sardines, vermicelli and disposable diapers.
“Last year, we offered six subsidised products.
“This year, we have expanded the range to 12 items which are available at two Ehsan Mart stores and through the Jelajah Ehsan Rakyat (JER) programme,” he told Bernama.
The JER programme is a Selangor government initiative to provide essential goods at lower prices.
Izham was speaking after the opening of the second Ehsan Mart at Kampung Pandan Dalam in Ampang, Selangor.
He said goods at the store were priced at 15% to 20% lower than elsewhere, to help people cope with economic challenges.
Ehsan Mart also serves as a food distribution centre during emergencies, he added.
Also present were Selangor Agriculture Development Corporation (PKPS) chief executive officer Datuk Dr Mohamad Khairil Mohd Razi and Ampang Jaya Municipal Council president Dr Ani Ahmad.
Izham said Ehsan Mart would serve as a storage hub for the Selangor Food Warehouse to ensure smooth operations of the state’s food supply chain.
He added, “Through the JER programme, a RM12mil subsidy has benefitted over 4.5 million Selangor residents across more than 1,200 sales locations last year.”
Meanwhile, Mohamad Khairil said the expansion of subsidised products was driven by community needs, aimed at alleviating the rising cost of living.
“We are not running the supermarket for commercial purposes.
“This is an initiative to help the people while ensuring food security and sustainability of the local economy.
“Through PKPS, the state government has established a supermarket that provides affordable goods,” he said.
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari had previously described the opening of Ehsan Mart as a continuation of the JER programme.
The programme was initiated by PKPS in August 2022 to provide the public access to low-priced essential goods.
