MELAKA: With his retirement savings steadily dwindling, P. Muthiah walked almost five kilometres from his home in Malim for the chance to buy fresh produce at an affordable price.
The 65-year-old was among hundreds who thronged the Bachang Central Market on Saturday (Sept 26) night for the Melaka Sayang Rakyat (MeSRa) sale.
Muthiah, who did not wish to have his picture taken, said he learnt about the sale from a neighbour and decided to make the journey on foot.
"I was told that fresh produce and other essentials would be sold at subsidised prices, so I walked almost five kilometres to get here," he said when met at the market.
"As a retiree from the private sector, I have to be careful with my expenses because my savings are depleting quickly," he added. "I do not want to burden my children, and programmes such as this make a real difference to retirees like me."
The initiative also drew Aminah Hassan, 66, who came to purchase discounted essentials and received a free bag of rice.
She said a similar MeSRa sale was held in Pengkalan Batu several months ago and hoped the programme would continue after the Melaka polls, regardless of which party formed the next state government.
"Not everyone is fortunate enough to have substantial savings in their later years," she said. "This initiative helps us manage our daily expenses, and I sincerely hope it will continue."
Caretaker Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the sale offered discounts of up to 75% on fresh produce and other necessities.
He said the state government allocated RM75,000 to provide 2,000 subsidised coupons, each worth RM50.
The coupons enabled the public to purchase 40 types of daily necessities at prices considerably lower than prevailing market rates.
"We offered 2,000 whole chickens at RM5 each, as well as meat, fish, eggs, vegetables and other selected goods," Ab Rauf said.
"For example, a packet of mutton priced at RM20 would cost the buyer only RM10, with the remaining RM10 covered by the coupon."
Ab Rauf said this when launching the MeSRa sale in conjunction with the Melaka Bila Larut Malam programme at the market.
He said the sale, organised for the first time as part of the night programme, would be held every month.
"This central market will become one of the main locations where people can purchase affordable necessities whenever the Melaka Bila Larut Malam programme is held," he said.
Ab Rauf said the initiative was intended to ease the pressure of rising living costs by offering savings that could be felt directly by the people.
"I understand that the cost of living cannot be addressed through a sale held on just one night," he added. "However, within our means, we will continue to find ways to ease the people's burden."
