Rina (right) interacts with the visitors at Pasar Jualan Jimat Harapan Rakyat. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: The Pasar Jualan Jimat Harapan Rakyat, a market where goods are sold at lower prices, will be started throughout the country to help lighten the burden of the public, especially the lower-income (B40) households.
Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun said the initiative will be implemented in stages with the organisers, the Jualan Jimat Harapan Rakyat Chamber of Commerce (DPJJHR).
“We are holding more detailed discussions with the DPJJHR so that the markets can be extended and held more frequently and become a monthly event.
“We are looking at rural areas where the demand may be different, but food requirements will still be the same,” she said after the launch of the Pasar Jimat Harapan Rakyat programme at the Seri Perlis 2 Datuk Keramat Public Housing here yesterday.
Rina who is also Titiwangsa Member of Parliament said at present, the markets were held in four states – Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Johor.
The Pasar Jimat Harapan Rakyat programme was started last year, an initiative of the DPJJHR a non-governmental organisation, and offers daily essential items like chicken, fish and vegetables which are
priced 40 per cent less than elsewhere.
Meanwhile, political secretary to the Prime Minister Abu Bakar Yahya said efforts to lighten the burden of the cost of living of the people could be implemented if all parties were serious about working towards it.
He said non-governmental organisations played a key role in supporting the government’s efforts in this.
“This is a good effort and I am confident the government welcomes it. In fact, this programme will give people the chance to improve their economic status by setting up their own small businesses with supply of goods and capital provided by the DPJJHR,” he said after attending the event. — Bernama