The Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry (MDTCC) has allocated RM200 million to fund transport costs under the price standardisation scheme for rural traders and retailers nationwide this year.

Its minister, Ismail Sabri Yaakob said, RM101 million was allocated to 485 areas in Sarawak, RM90 million for 460 areas in Sabah while the remainder would be channeled to states in the peninsula.

“Sabah and Sarawak are given bigger chunks of the allocation as shops operating in rural areas and islands are burdened with high transport costs, causing them to increase the price of their goods.

“With this transport aid scheme, essential goods can be sold for the same price as in nearby cities and towns,” he told reporters after presenting the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) to 1,800 residents of Bera today.

Ismail said, for example, prior to the price standardisation scheme, a 14kg gas cylinder in Bario (a remote village in Sabah) costs RM148 but was sold for RM27, which is the same in town.

“Meanwhile, the price of goods including controlled items such as cooking oil, sugar, flour, milk, rice and others were sold at normal prices as in the town areas,” he added.

Ismail Sabri, who is also Bera assemblyperson, said the price standardisation scheme will be extended nationwide to 920 more areas before year-end.

He urged traders to heed all regulations set, while those who do not and are found to sell above the fixed price will face action according to the Price Control Act.

He said the ministry’s enforcement officers will also continue monitoring prices to ensure traders don’t flout regulations.

- Bernama