The MADANI Raya Sales Programme offers goods up to 30% cheaper, helping ease the cost of living ahead of Aidilfitri while boosting cooperative businesses

BUKIT MERTAJAM: The Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development’s (KUSKOP) MADANI Raya Sales Programme (PJMR) is offering daily necessities at prices up to 30% cheaper than the market.

Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong said the initiative aims to ease the public’s burden ahead of Aidilfitri celebrations.

The programme, held at the Bukit Mertajam MP Service Centre, features basic goods and festive items like ‘kuih raya’ and spices.

Most products are sourced directly from participating cooperatives, including baked goods made by cooperative members.

A special ‘Happy Hour’ discount boosts savings from the standard 20% to 30% off market prices.

“The programme is not just about sales, but also part of KUSKOP’s efforts with the Malaysian Cooperative Commission to strengthen cooperatives as competitive, community-focused operators,” Sim said.

Notable offers include 1,000 chickens sold at RM4 each, compared to a typical RM12, and meat reduced to RM23 per kilogramme from RM26.

Visitors are limited to purchasing one kilogramme of meat each.

The first day saw about 800 visitors generating roughly RM30,000 in sales.

Organisers target total sales of RM100,000 over the two-day event, expecting 1,000 to 2,000 attendees.

Sim attributed the low prices to subsidies provided by KUSKOP to benefit consumers.

This is the first such programme this year, with plans to expand to other areas, including Penang island, after Aidilfitri.

“If there is additional allocation, we will also consider bringing this programme to other locations to further encourage cooperative businesses,” he added.

In a statement, KUSKOP said the PJMR aligns with the MADANI Malaysia framework’s wellbeing values.

Since its 2022 launch, the initiative has recorded over RM5 million in cumulative sales nationwide.

It has directly benefited 417,816 visitors across the country.

Shopper Zuraidah Ismail, 70, said she came specifically to buy kitchen items for early Raya preparations.

“The prices offered are much lower than in regular shops, thus helping to ease daily expenses,” she said.

Her husband, Abdul Rahman Ahmad, 83, accompanied her to the event.

Another visitor, Zulkifli Saad, 53, praised the significantly cheaper price of chicken.

He queued for less than 20 minutes to purchase poultry despite high demand.

“The initiative to sell essential items, especially chicken and meat, is very helpful, especially when people are preparing for the festive season,” Zulkifli said.

 The Sun Malaysia