Discount cards to help manage rising cost of living

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KUALA LUMPUR: In the efforts to help people manage with the rising cost of living, the government has introduced various assistance particularly for the disabled persons, pensioners, armed forces personnel as well as students of Institutions of Higher Learning.

Among the latest initiatives is the Discount Card Programme, under which, various companies through their corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes offer price discounts to the cardholders on a wide selection of goods and services.

Based on a Smart-Partnership concept, the programme is headed by the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism.

Through a multitude of cards namely the Consumer Squad Card, 1Malaysia Privilege Card (1MPC), Ex-Army Card, OKU Card, 1Malaysia Graduate Discount Card and Government Pensioner Card, cardholders can get to enjoy discounts on the prices of goods and services at 2,170 business premises that are participating in the Discount Card Programme.

For example, those who have registered with the Consumer Squad, under the ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism, they will be able to enjoy the privileges offered through the Consumer Squad Card.

A joint effort between the ministry and Bank Rakyat, the Consumer Squad Card offers cardholders discounts through the various Partner Merchants registered with the programme.

The card for students, KADS1M, was introduced to help students manage with the increasing living costs.

Those pursuing certificate, diploma, degree and at higher levels for a duration of one year and above, both in the local public and private Institutions of Higher Learning qualify for the card. The students need not apply for the card as the administration of their respective institutions will automatically apply for them.

Meanwhile, police and army personnel still in service qualify for the 1MPC and will get to enjoy price discounts when spending at participating outlets and it is the same for holders of KBT and OKU Cards. Currently, businesses dealing in books and stationeries, clothes, sports accessories, health clinics, optometry, accommodation and transportation, food and beverages, beauty treatment, IT products and souvenirs are among the participants in the programme.

The Discount Card Programme is part of the efforts under the National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak last year.

In March this year, the minister helming the ministry then Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri launched the ‘NBOS 6: Integration Discount Card Merchant Partners’ programme in Putrajaya.

Ismail Sabri had expressed hope that the smart partnership would further strengthen cooperation between the ministries and agencies involved.

The card programme is also a good medium where the ministries will be able to channel important consumer related information to the users.

“The NBOS is transformation undertaken by the government to explore new avenues through which the people will gain generally without burdening the government,” said Ismail Sabri.

Meanwhile, a quick survey by Bernama on the card programme found that students were in the forefront when comes to using the card.

KADS1M holder, Hasnida Halim, a UiTM undergraduate said she had gained much through the card.

“Although it may not be much, but as a student, we are happy when we get discounts when buying goods or food items. We do save on our daily expenses.

“My brother and sister have also commented that students these days are lucky to be given such a card. I have used it not only in a bookstore but also at a fastfood restaurant,” said Hasnida.

Meanwhile, Zulkiple Ibrahim, a holder of OKU Card, said he has yet to own a discount card as he was not aware of how to go about getting the card.

He suggested that more information be provided on the programme so that more people could get to know about the discount card and its benefits.

Meanwhile, the smart partnership is expected to be a win-win situation as the participating merchants will also gain in terms of getting access to a wider market with the number of cardholders expected to reach three million nationwide.

The partners will also enjoy wider promotion as their company logos will be jointly displayed on the ministry’s website at www.1pengguna.com with hyperlinks to related sites as well.

These sites include the 1Malaysia Privilege Card page, Finance Ministry, Welfare and Social Development Department, Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Public Services Department.

Meanwhile, the participating merchants in selected programmes will also enjoy free exhibition and sales space when promoting their products.

The discount cards, which are given free, can also be used at the 1Malaysia retail shop, Klinik 1Malaysia and Kedai Kain 1Malaysia with discounts amounting from five to 25 per cent. More traders are expected to join the list of participants in the programme and provide greater choice for the cardholders. Further details on the cards can be obtained from http://www.1mprivilege.my/ and http://www.1pengguna.com/SkuadPengguna/. — Bernama