Ministry plans to have Rahmah Bazaars during Ramadan

KUALA LUMPUR: In conjunction with the upcoming Ramadan month, the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry is planning to have Rahmah Bazaars in strategic locations in the Klang Valley.

Its Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said that they would have an engagement session with the local councils that include the Kuala Lumpur City Hall and industry players soon.

"We have identified several locations for the bazaars with a reasonable rent to give opportunities for people to carry out business during the fasting month.

"We hope this initiative will bring happiness for the people. An official announcement on the matter will be made soon," he told reporters on Wednesday (Feb 22).

Earlier, Salahuddin launched the "Buy & Win" RM1.1mil Challenge at KK Super Mart here, an initiative under Payung Rahmah at Terminal Bersepadu Selatan.

"The implementation of the Payung Rahmah initiative at KK Super Mart began nationwide with the Jualan Rahmah that includes the sale of ready to eat food products and frozen seafood this month.

"The Buy & Win RM1.1mil Challenge is held until May 31 for KK Super Mart Malaysian customers and permanent residents aged 18 years old and above, who make a minimum purchase of RM23 at any of their 680 premises.

"Participants stand to win various prizes in the form of cash, private vehicles, and various electrical, electronic and furniture items with a total value of up to RM1.1mil," he said.

He added the Jualan Rahmah at KK Super Mart would be expanded with other initiatives from time to time such as Bakul Rahmah, Package Rahmah and Menu Rahmah.

In his speech, Salahuddin said that they would assist KK Super Mart in their expansion vision by facilitating engagement sessions with local councils to open more premises at Public Housing Projects (PPR), Housing Programme for the Poor and Hardcore Poor (PPRT) and areas with B40 groups.

He also said since the launch of the Payung Rahmah initiative, there has been an overwhelming response from many industry players.

Recently, he said, fast food joints such as Burger King, McDonald’s, KFC and MarryBrown have all joined the Menu Rahmah programme.

"With the addition of more players, there are more options for people to choose from. In Sarawak alone, 38 eateries joined the Menu Rahmah programme," he said.

When asked about interested players, who want to be part of the Payung Rahmah initiative but were unable to navigate through the procedures, Salahuddin said they can approach the ministry who are readily available to assist.

He said the ministry would facilitate through engagement sessions with local councils on how to go about getting licences, permits and other matters.