Traders under close watch

Affordable groceries: Malaysians can enjoy further discounts on basic necessities under 99 Speed Mart’s Payung Rahmah promotion campaign. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: As the highly-anticipated Rahmah bazaars get going, traders will be under the watchful eye of enforcement officers looking out for any profiteering, says the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister.

Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said his men would be sent to Rahmah bazaars across the country “and will be lenient at first”.

“If they keep repeating the act, the traders will be issued fines based on the severity of their profiteering,” he told reporters after launching 99 Speed Mart’s Hari Raya promotion campaign under the ministry’s Payung Rahmah initiative yesterday.

He said a directive had been issued for all traders at Rahmah bazaars to display product prices in a clear and noticeable way.

99 Speed Mart’s Payung Rahmah promotion campaign will last until April 22 with all 2,300 of its stores nationwide offering further discounts of up to 40% for 150 items already discounted by the company’s under its current Hari Raya promotions.

These include basic items such as rice, beverages, snacks and detergents.

Asked what the long-term plans were for Payung Rahmah, Salahuddin said he would hold discussions within his ministry to develop a sustainable approach.

He said one proposal was for big industry players to take turns to run Rahmah discount campaigns throughout the year.

“This would ensure that at least one Payung Rahmah initiative at one major hypermarket will be on at all times throughout the year. This is one of many ideas,” he added.

Salahuddin said the quality of items sold under the Payung Rahmah initiative would not be compromised, adding that the ministry would be in continuous engagement with industry players and consumers.

“Once a campaign is launched, we will keep close tabs to quickly respond to possible complaints from consumers on quality issues.

“This is critical, as negative feedback spreads extremely fast these days,” he added.

On the toll payment issue, Salahuddin said his ministry was liaising with the Works and Transport ministries on the implementation of an open payment system.

“All ministries have been instructed to begin engaging with stakeholders and industry players under them. So far, all payment service providers are keen on the proposed open payment system for tolls,” he added.

Salahuddin said the open payment system would be prioritised along the North-South Expressway due to its high volume of daily traffic.