KUCHING: Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi hopes that the allocation for subsidising the cost of transporting goods to rural areas would be increased in view of the positive feedback from the people concerned.
“I received feedback from a few MPs such as Hulu Rajang and Baram MPs. They certainly welcome the programme such as the Community Drumming Programme. In fact, they suggested that the allocation should be increased some more.
“So, we will see. We will request as the need is there,” he said during an interview on Episode 8, Season 2 of TVS’ Twenty30 programme moderated by senior fellow of the Malaysian Council of Professors (MPN) Dr Jeniri Amir.
He said the programmes had been expanded to cover more areas such as the islands of Sabah and Malaya as well as more new areas in Sarawak.
The Kapit MP said the high prices of goods in rural areas were a matter close to his heart.
“Even before I became a minister, I always brought up the matter up as a backbencher in Parliament,” he said.
He noted that the Community Drumming Programme, through which the government subsidised the handling and transport costs of essential goods to rural areas, had been improved to cover a wider range of necessities such as rice, salt, sugar and cooking oil.
There is also the Price Standardisation Programme which had been allocated RM40 million under Budget 2021.
“The prices of goods in Sarawak are generally higher (compared to West Malaysia). Some say the cabotage policy contributes to this price difference,” he said.
The discrepancy in prices between Sarawak, Sabah and West Malaysia could also be due to priority given to goods produced locally in order to support local manufacturers.
