BERA: The Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry (MDTCC) has allocated RM200 million to fund transport costs under the price standardisation scheme for rural traders and retailers nationwide this year.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said, RM101 million was allocated to 485 areas in Sarawak, RM90 million for 460 areas in Sabah while the remainder would be channeled to states in the peninsula.
“Sabah and Sarawak are given bigger chunks of the allocation as shops operating in rural areas and islands are burdened with high transport costs, causing them to increase the price of their goods.
“With this transport aid scheme, necessity goods can be sold for the same price as in nearby cities and towns,” he told reporters after presenting the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) to 1,800 residents of Bera yesterday.
Ismail said, for example, prior to the price standardisation scheme, a 14kg gas cylinder in Bario (a remote village in Sabah) cost RM148 but was sold for RM27, which is the same in town. — Bernama