The Payung Rahmah project, launched in April by the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN), has aided over a million people in this country, particularly those from the low-income (B40) and hard-core poor.
Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, its minister, stated that the ministry is now developing a Rahmah Economic Plan to provide various projects specifically for the target populations to help cut living costs.
“This plan will complement the Payung Rahmah initiative and is expected to be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the beginning of August,“ he said after officiating the launch of the Payung Rahmah Initiative with Zero Healthcare Sdn Bhd at Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru.
He said Zero Healthcare, a company that makes Malaysian-branded health equipment, including massage machines, running machines, and gym equipment, is giving discounts of up to 35% and payment plans.
“This is a positive development for those who care deeply about their health to obtain a machine at affordable prices. I hope more healthcare industry players come forward to contribute to the Payung Rahmah initiative,“ he said.
Zero Healthcare is selling two goods under the Payung Rahmah initiative: the massage chair machine for RM1,999 instead of the original price of RM2,999, and the treadmill for RM899 instead of the original price of RM2,988.
According to Salahuddin, the approval given to 37 companies to import 285,700 metric tonnes of refined white sugar this year was standard procedure.
“The important thing is that we help these companies solve their problems, including foreign employment issues. After all, so far, the price of coarse and fine sugar is still RM2.85 and RM2.95 respectively,“ he said.
According to media reports, the ministry issued a statement saying that the clearance was a proactive measure to assure sugar supply stability by simplifying the licencing process.
Salahuddin also stated that his ministry has promised to respond to concerns about sugar shortages within a few hours to ensure that consumers, even those living in rural areas, do not encounter sugar supply issues.
“I admit that sometimes there is a lack of supply in some locations, for example in Johor Bahru, Alor Setar (Kedah) or Limbang (Sarawak), so continue to lodge a report to KPDN and we will try to provide supplies within a few hours,“ he said.
