KOTA KINABALU: Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali hopes that the allocation for "Program Jualan Madanai" (PJRM) can be increased in the 2027 Budget to allow the programme to be further expanded and benefit more people.
He said the encouraging response and the savings enjoyed by the public form the basis of the government's commitment to continue and expand the implementation of PJRM as one of the interventions to address the cost of living issue.
"Therefore, we hope and appeal to the Ministry of Finance, in particular, to consider increasing the allocation in the 2027 Budget, as this is a programme that directly reaches the people, allowing them to benefit from the subsidy in a targeted and direct manner on the ground," he said.
He said this at the ‘Majlis Selawat dan Tadabbur Syukbah’ organised by the Papar Parliamentary Women's Wing at the Papar District Mosque here today, which was attended by approximately 1,500 people.
Armizan noted that with the specific allocation established starting from the 2024 Budget, the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has been able to set annual and monthly implementation targets and expand public access to PJRM.
He added that from January 2023 to September 23, 2026, PJRM recorded a total of 81,455,623 transactions, with the figure showing a significant increase each year.
"Of that total, 9,244,504 transactions were recorded in 2023, rising to 12,826,708 transactions in 2024.
"With the increased allocation channeled to KPDN, public participation in PJRM rose significantly, reaching 27,534,770 transactions in 2025 and surging further to 31,849,641 transactions for the period of January 1 to September 23, 2026,” he said.
He stated that the increase in transactions reflects the public's positive response to PJRM, which offers daily necessities at prices 10% to 30% lower than local market rates.
Armizan noted that the initiative was originally piloted as a government-led discount sales programme under the "Payung Rahmah" agenda in 2023 before being strengthened into PJRM in 2024, thereby becoming a permanent government initiative with a dedicated allocation.
Meanwhile, Armizan said public access to information regarding PJRM events has also been improved in tandem with the expanded scale of the programme's implementation.
He said the public can now check the PJRM schedule via PJRM website and "Info Jualan Rahmah Madani" app, which is available for download on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
He added that starting Oct 1, KPDN is introducing special stickers displaying the PJRM schedule QR code at public hotspots nationwide.
"The installation of these special stickers is subject to the request and consent of the premises' management or owners. By scanning the QR code, the public can refer to the PJRM schedule to check the dates and locations of events held near their respective areas.
"Locations where the stickers are being displayed include public housing areas, public markets, farmers' markets and *tamu* (traditional markets), halls and community centres, public transport terminals, places of worship, religious institutions, and business premises,” he added. - Bernama
