KUALA LUMPUR: The "Insuran Rahmah" or Rahmah Insurance scheme is expected to be launched at the end of this month, says Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub.
"I am in talks with people in the insurance industry.
"It is hoped that we will be able to launch the Insuran Rahmah scheme by the end of this month," the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister told delegates at the Unity Government National Convention here on Sunday (May 14).
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He added that careful consideration is being given to ensure the viability of the proposed scheme.
"I am aware that there are some who doubt its sustainability.
"My humble answer is that the strength of the Rahmah programmes lies in the support of industry players who are willing to help," he said.
On March 15, Salahuddin said the government was looking into expanding the Rahmah umbrella by, for example, providing affordable insurance or loans for the B40 group.
"Maybe we can offer special insurance to women or youth too," he said at the time.
On Sunday (May 14), Salahuddin reminded delegates that several Rahmah programmes to help the rakyat had been successfully introduced in the six months since the unity government was formed.
Among them, he cited the Bakul Rahmah food aid programme to assist the B40 and hardcore poor, as well as Jualan Rahmah and Menu Rahmah for buying necessities and eating out respectively.
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Salahuddin said the Menu Rahmah initiative had helped bring down the inflationary cost of dining out from 9.6% to 9.3% for the first time since August 2021.
Although the degree may be small, it was a step in the right direction, he added.
He also said government efforts to reduce living costs with the support of hypermarkets had succeeded in lowering the costs of some 14,000 food items by between 3% and 50%.
He said this meant savings of RM20 to RM25 each time a family went grocery shopping.
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He added that such savings would be especially significant for those in the lower-income group.
Salahuddin said the government also targets delivering food aid through its Bakul Rahmah programme to some 130,000 B40 and hardcore poor families by the end of this month.
