Community-Based Initiatives Offer Relief to Shoppers
Waking up early, braving the rain, and waiting in long queues are common experiences for many shoppers who are eager to stretch their ringgit. These efforts are often made to purchase daily essentials at lower prices. In response to rising living costs, community-based initiatives such as “Jualan Rahmah Madani” (JRM) and “Jualan Kasih Johor” (Jualan Kasih) have provided a welcome relief for many families.
Both programmes offer discounts ranging from 10% to 30% on groceries and household items, helping families manage tight budgets effectively. These events have become essential for many, especially those with limited financial resources.
For factory worker Siti Nurfaezah Ibrahim, 24, and her mother, waking up early on a rainy morning for a Jualan Kasih event was worth it. It was her day off, yet she arrived at 6:30 am to get good deals on groceries and household products like detergent.
“It was my first time shopping here, and I am impressed by the freshness and variety of the items sold at discounted prices,” she said when met outside Dewan Putra in Kulai.
She bought cooking oil, eggs, chicken, fish, and some shellfish for about 30% less than what she usually pays. The Taman Sri Putra resident spends about RM300 to RM400 a month on groceries for her family of four. Jualan Kasih combo deals were particularly attractive, she said.
“I paid less than RM20 for a tray of eggs, chicken, and a bottle of cooking oil. The savings are quite helpful in the current economy.”
Siti Nurfaezah hopes such sales can be held more often to benefit additional low-income families. Similarly, C. Saraswathy, 56, said she did not mind the rain or muddy grounds as she managed to stretch her earnings when buying seafood for her family.
The matron at a private hospital learned about Jualan Kasih from Johor housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor’s Facebook page. He is also the Bukit Permai assemblyman, so she often gets information from his social media about the area she lives in.
“I was delighted to get two chickens for RM14, which I usually pay more than RM20 for, and crabs for RM22 per kilogramme, which usually costs more than RM30 at the market. The discounts help a lot, especially around the festive period like Deepavali as we try to celebrate without overspending.”
She called for the initiative to be continued and expanded to benefit people of all backgrounds. For housewife Aliah Othman, 67, from Kampung Bakar Batu in Johor Baru, the JRM programme had become an important factor in ensuring she did not exceed her household budget.
“As a family of seven, we usually spend about RM200 per grocery trip, so I always look out for these events to grab good deals. I recently spent RM91 on a long list of items such as sugar, cooking oil, rice, onions, noodles, and eggs, which will be enough to last us about three weeks. The savings are significant.”
She has attended several JRM events, including one at Dewan Muafakat Kampung Bakar Batu, and prefers those held indoors. “It is more comfortable to shop indoors, especially for senior citizens,” said Aliah. “The organisers have also done a good job with crowd control,” she said, commending the use of a queue number system.
Another consumer, Vivie Kassim Zuini, 42, from Kampung Melayu Majidee, said the initiative had made it easier for shoppers to find subsidised packets of cooking oil. “Buying cooking oil used to be a frustrating experience. I often had trouble finding the 1kg packets at local sundry shops. Sometimes I had to make a few stops before finding one, and even then the shelves were often empty.”
Vivie, who is from Sabah and has lived in Johor Baru for 22 years, said after she attended a JRM event a few months ago, she learned about how Johor was the first state to roll out the cooking oil price stabilisation scheme (eCOSS) system. The event staff also helped her register with her smartphone.
“The eCOSS app makes it easier for us to access subsidised cooking oil. The verification process also ensures the subsidised cooking oil goes to the intended consumers, like low-income families. The RM5 subsidised oil packets really help to reduce my family’s expenses,” Vivie added.
Susan Woo, 56, said she enjoyed the community spirit at JRM. “Besides being about buying discounted goods, I like that the event has health check booths, talks on financial management and cybersecurity, and even a floral arrangement workshop.” She said the lively event fostered community spirit as its atmosphere encouraged people to mingle and connect.
“It is not just about cheap groceries. It is also about getting to know our neighbours and strengthening our sense of community,” said Woo.
JRM is a nationwide initiative under the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, aimed at reducing financial pressure on consumers through affordable pricing on essentials. Jualan Kasih, meanwhile, is a Johor-led effort supported by local producers and communities through partnerships with state assemblymen’s offices, Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority, local councils, and state agencies.
