KUCHING: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) 2025 Carnival Tour Series and Buy Malaysian Products Campaign for the Sarawak region received an extraordinary response from the local community.
KPDN’s Secretary-General, Datuk Seri Mohd Sayuthi Bakar, said the reception was not only lively with a high number of visitors but also contributed to significant sales value.
“So far, thank God, total sales have exceeded RM500,000.
“Yesterday alone, the ‘Jualan Rahmah’ collection recorded more than RM180,000, while on the first day, two cars were successfully sold by strategic partners,” he said when met by reporters after officiating the Sarawak Zone KPDN 2025 Carnival Tour Programme and Buy Malaysian Products Campaign closing ceremony at Kuching Waterfront here today.
Commenting on the target set for the three-day carnival, he said that the ministry did not set a specific number.
“The main objective of this carnival is to attract people to come together to enjoy various programmes and to get to know the services offered.
“In addition, the ‘Jualan Rahmah’ programme was also provided by offering as many basic necessities as possible to give visitors the opportunity to purchase at reasonable prices,” he said.
Additionally, Mohd Sayuthi also touched on the government’s ‘Sumbangan Asas Rahmah’ (SARA) programme, stressing that the initiative was commendable as it gives recipients the freedom to purchase items according to their needs.
“If it were provided in the form of fixed packages, hampers or a list of essential items, beneficiaries would not have the freedom to choose. Under SARA assistance, there are more than 90,000 SKUs available.
“If it is made in the form of packages, it seems to limit the people’s choices. In my opinion, SARA assistance should be given directly to the people so that they are free to choose their own necessities.
“Restricting beneficiaries to certain items could potentially create an unhealthy situation. That is why we encourage consumers to wisely choose the goods that suit their own need,” he said.
