The Malaysian government will offer a discount on food and essential goods to help people cope with the rising cost of living

The Malaysian government will implement the Family Sales Program, which offers a 15 to 20 percent discount on essential goods, from December 4.

The Malaysian government will implement the Family Sales Program, which offers a 15 to 20 percent discount on essential goods, from December 4.In an effort to ensure families are able to meet the costs of living, The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) announced a new program, called "Jualan Keluarga Malaysia" (Malaysian Family Sale). It will be held in all 222 parliamentary constituencies twice a month, starting from December 4, 2021.

According to KPDNHEP's press release on November 28, the Family Sales Program includes goods such as vegetables, poultry, and eggs, in an effort to combat rising costs of wholesale goods. To curb the spread of COVID-19 and protect the public's safety, the government is also encouraging people to test for the virus. Several measures have been implemented, including expanding the sale of antigen rapid test kits (RTK) to a retail premises network and ceiling pricing.

During the minister's question session in the Dewan Rakyat on November 30, KPDNHEP Minister, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, said: "The ministry has obtained the cooperation of other government agencies and departments to ensure that the sale of basic consumer goods reaches Malaysian families who are affected by the increase in the price of goods."

He added that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI) has also discussed a proposal to allow the import of poultry from overseas, as approved by the Veterinary Services Department, as a temporary measure to increase supply and stabilize market prices. The MAFI monitors the food supply chain, including identifying the causes of rising food prices, especially vegetables and livestock.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced an allocation of MYR 262 million to help farmers affected by an increase in costs of fertilizer and pesticides. Of that amount, MYR 200 million is implemented as agro-food loans, at a zero interest rate, with a six-month payment moratorium through Agrobank and the Transaction Group Economic Fund.