A TOTAL of RM72.12mil has been allocated for the “Jualan Kasih Johor” initiative since 2023, says state agriculture, agro-based industry and rural development committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip.
He said the programme had been implemented consistently to ease the people’s burden in dealing with cost of living.
Zahari said the initiative was not a seasonal programme and dismissed allegations that it was being carried out solely because of elections.
“‘Jualan Kasih Johor’ has been implemented continuously by the Johor government since 2023.
“There were no elections taking place during those years, so such claims are baseless,” he said.
The Buloh Kasap assemblyman said the programme received an allocation of RM800,000 in 2023, before being increased to RM5.6mil in 2024 and RM20.3mil last year.
For 2026, Zahari said the state government had allocated RM45.4mil for the initiative, more than double from last year’s allocation.
He added that the programme had been carried out at more than 1,700 locations statewide and benefitted some 6.59 million recipients so far.
Zahari also said the RM15 “Kombo Kasih” packages offered at “Jualan Kasih Johor” events were always sold out.
Each package comprised one whole chicken, a tray of eggs and two litres of cooking oil.
“A total of 33 ‘Jualan Kasih Johor’ programmes were held simultaneously across 33 state constituencies on May 11,” he said.
“More than 59,000 sets of the RM15 ‘Kombo Kasih’ packages were offered to the public during the one-day programme,” he added.
Besides the subsidised packages, Zahari said various food essentials including vegetables, fruits and grocery items were also sold at promotional prices.
“The programme is always very well received.
“That is why the state government has not only continued the programme, but expanded it from time to time,” he added.
Zahari said the initiative remained important as the state government’s main focus was to help reduce living costs and ensure more Johoreans could obtain basic necessities at affordable prices.
