Govt admits Rahmah sales, Sara affected retailers' business

PARLIAMENT | The Finance Ministry acknowledged that the Rahmah sales programme and Rahmah Necessities Aid (Sara) had affected many small-time retailers in the country.

Deputy Minister Lim Hui Ying said her team received many complaints from those affected by the government’s initiative.

“It’s true. This is a situation we’re dealing with right now. We received many complaints that their businesses are affected by the programmes.

“But the plan is to get as many retailers as possible to take part in the programme (Rahmah sales). Therefore, I urge MPs to get the retailers in your constituencies to apply to join the programme.

“If it’s too close (the proximity of the sales programme and shops)… we won’t organise it near their premises,” Lim said this in Dewan Rakyat today in response to a question raised by Suhaizan Kaiat (Harapan-Pulai).

Earlier, Suhaizan said he had received complaints from retailers that their businesses were affected due to the government-backed programmes, which offer goods at lower prices.

However, he also acknowledged that the programmes were beneficial to the public at large.

Reporting by Haspaizi Zain, Qistina Nadia Dzulqarnain, Hariz Mohd, Dania Kamal Aryf

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