Jualan Rahmah Offers Youth Lifeline Amid Rising Living Costs

KUCHING, June 28 (Bernama) -- The Jualan Rahmah MADANI programme serves as a key initiative that not only brings government services closer to the people but also helps young people manage their expenses in dealing with the rising cost of living.

Media practitioner Asyraf Halim, 34, said living alone as a single man gave him more reason to pay closer attention to promotions on essential items.

“Since I started working and living on my own, I’ve learnt to manage my finances. The Jualan Rahmah programme has, in some ways, helped me to spend more prudently.

“Prices here are much lower than those at shopping malls and that’s helped me save some money this month,” he told Bernama when met at the Jualan Rahmah MADANI programme held in conjunction with the Maal Hijrah Festival 2025 at the Sarawak State Mosque compound here today.

The festival was organised by the Sarawak State Mosque Welfare Trust Board (LKMNS), while the Jualan Rahmah MADANI programme was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN).

Sharing the same view was Ismasuzilla Bahari, 28, from Telaga Air, who said the lower prices offered made it easier for her to manage her spending and save for emergencies.

“The Jualan Rahmah programme helps me save a lot on essential items for my family.

“I used to spend about RM1,000 a month on wet and dry goods for the five of us. Now, with the Jualan Rahmah, I manage to save around RM300 to RM400 every month,” said the LKMNS staff member, who lives with her parents.

Meanwhile, Zulhilmi Alet, 31, an assistant officer at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, said he regularly checked the Jualan Rahmah MADANI schedule, especially in Kuching, to purchase essential goods.

He said buying items through the programme allowed him to save a lot on expenses for his parents and in-laws.

“We’re aware of the current economic situation and by spending wisely, my wife and I are able to manage our finances while also supporting our parents.

“So the programme should be expanded to include more local items such as rice so people can buy them at lower prices. This initiative helps not only the young but everyone, especially the B40 group,” he said.

A Bernama check found that people had been flocking to the Jualan Rahmah MADANI stalls to buy basic necessities since they opened at 8 am.

The programme is an important initiative implemented by KPDN as part of the broader Payung Rahmah initiative under Budget 2025, aimed at easing the people’s cost of living burden, especially for the low-income group.

It also aims to boost the economy by helping increase sales and supporting local retailers, including both large and small supermarkets.

--BERNAMA