More than 1,000 Temiar Orang Asli residents at the Pasik Resettlement Scheme (RPS) in Gua Musang, Kelantan, were able to buy essential goods at lower prices through Jualan Rahmah using their Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) credit.
Kampung Ayong resident Ramli Chimbong, 51, said previously residents had to travel to Kampung Jerek, a journey of about two and a half hours, just to buy necessities such as rice, cooking oil and sugar, using Sara.
“I not only had to endure the long journey, but also spend at least RM600 on vehicle rental, food and other expenses.
“With the sales now available in our village, I can save money and buy what I need more easily.
“The prices are much cheaper compared with shops in our village. For example, a bag of 9kg rice can cost up to RM40, but today it is sold at only RM29.
“It is really worthwhile and eases our burden,” he told reporters at Pasik RPS, Bernama reported.
SMS Maju Solution owner Sabariah Mohamed Sayuti said the company brought 100 types of essential goods, including 300 bags of rice, 300 trays of eggs and 300 chickens, with residents arriving as early as 9am to make purchases.
She said many residents still had substantial Sara balances in their MyKad.
“Some have balances of between RM300 and RM800.
“It is rare for us to find those with only RM100 left.
“This is our first time participating in Pos Pasik, and it helps residents in this remote area obtain essential goods without having to travel to town,” she said.
Sabariah added that the team faced challenges when a tyre of a vehicle carrying supplies burst due to the rocky and muddy road conditions.
Nenggiri assemblyman Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani said the government’s initiative to organise the sale would help rural communities cope with rising cost of living.
“We hope similar programmes can be expanded to all Orang Asli settlements so that more people can enjoy the facilities provided by the government more easily,” he said.
