Paso Singgit: Mersing Fishermen Enjoy RM1 Prices On Daily Necessities

By Nur Faradilla Mohamad

MERSING, March 1 (Bernama) -- Imagine being able to buy rice, eggs and chicken, items that usually cost tens of ringgit, for just RM1. That extraordinary opportunity was extended to 100 asnaf fishermen in the district yesterday through the “Paso Singgit” initiative at the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) Complex here.

Fisherman Eade Mohamed, 56, said the programme provided much-needed relief amid uncertain income and the rising cost of living.

The father of four said that the basic necessities offered at “extra Rahmah” prices would help cover his expenses for Ramadan, especially since he rarely ventured out to sea during the northeast monsoon.

“At first I could not believe it because no one sells five kg of rice for RM1. Usually in the market, it costs RM12 per packet,” he said when met by Bernama at the programme.

Eade, who has been making a living at sea for almost three decades, said that the unpredictable weather during the monsoon season had reduced his catch, thus affecting his income.

Meanwhile, Nur Zalifah Diran, 49, said that the RM1 price for each item had helped her save on her family’s expenses.

Through the programme, she said that she and her husband, Nor Azman Saleh, who is also a fisherman, were able to buy a variety of daily necessities such as rice, eggs, biscuits, onions, condensed milk, sardines, half a raw chicken and soy sauce for less than RM10, providing significant savings for her family.

The “Paso Singgit” programme offers more than 50 types of necessities, including food, clothing, bags, and prayer essentials such as mats, telekung and the Quran.

Each eligible fisherman is given an entry coupon and is allowed to purchase only one unit of each type of item to ensure fair distribution.

Meanwhile, Johor Malaysian Relief Agency (MRA) chairman Siti Zubaidah Samat said that the RM1 imposed was only a symbolic gesture of commitment to helping the less fortunate, with the proceeds from the sale being channelled back to the local community through various programmes for the needy.

“In Mersing, we are focusing on the fishing community as they face income uncertainty, especially during the northeast monsoon.

“Alhamdulillah, all the items were sold out in less than two hours, and we managed to collect a total of RM3,026,” she said.

Siti Zubaidah added that the items on sale were donations from the public and regular MRA contributors and that the programme would be expanded to other districts.

-- BERNAMA