Madani sales cushion high cost of living

Affordable: Women selecting vegetables during the Madani Cheapest Sales programme in Bandar Perda. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Teacher Sri Devi Kothadaran drove 25km from her home in the Kedah border town of Lunas just to get her shopping done at a small town in mainland Penang.

But it was well worth it, said Sri Devi, who wanted to purchase groceries at the Madani Cheapest Sales programme, held in Bandar Perda here yesterday.

“The prices of foodstuff are much cheaper at the Madani sales. For example, a 10kg pack of rice costs only RM30 compared to RM40 elsewhere,” said Sri Devi, 50.

To her delight, she found that the cost of chicken, vegetables and fish at the Madani programme was about 20% to 50% lower than the usual prices.

“It was a worthwhile trip for me,” she said, adding that she left her house early yesterday at about 7.30am for the 30-minute drive.

She said such programmes should be continued as it could help people cope with the high cost of living.

The Madani Cheapest Sales programme offered grocery items such as chicken, fish, vegetables, fruits and other controlled goods.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim turned up yesterday to check on the sales and mingled with the crowd.

Also present were National Action Council for Cost of Living chairman Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal and Tanjong Karang MP Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi.

Among the shoppers who came for the sales was housewife Rosilawati Ahmad Rahim, 58, from Bagan Jermal, Butterworth.

She said she had arrived by 8am to avoid any “mad rush”.

“This is a good programme for everyone including the B40 group as the rising price of goods has impacted many people,” Rosilawati said.

She bought 10kg of rice and a tray of eggs, among other food necessities.

Her friend Rohana Shamsudin, 51, was also pleased with the programme, which allowed consumers to get cheap groceries.

“You cannot get such prices at shops or at the wet markets.

“It’s definitely cheaper and affordable here,” she said.

Yeoh Teng Siang, 71, believed the programme could reduce the burden of the people during challenging times.

“The items being offered here are not only cheap but of quality too.

“If the government carries out the sales more often, it will help the people deal with the (rising) cost of living,” said Yeoh, who lives in Kota Permai here.