Johor Jualan Kasih Eases Cost Pressures Ahead Of Aidiladha

By Nur Fadhliana Shaari dan Nur Faradilla Mohamad

JOHOR BAHRU, May 24 (Bernama) -- Strong public response to the Johor Jualan Kasih (JKJ) programme ahead of Aidiladha reflects how the state government’s initiative has become a source of relief for households in coping with rising living costs while preparing for the festive season.

A Bernama survey at the Bandar Baru Uda Farmers’ Market here found many consumers taking the opportunity to purchase the Kasih Combo Set, comprising essential items such as one chicken, a tray of eggs and two litres of cooking oil for about RM15, representing savings of around 30 per cent per purchase.

Former Social Welfare Department (JKM) employee Abdullah Din, 70, said he and his wife came to the sales location after learning about the programme through the TikTok application.

“The combo set offered is much cheaper than market prices and comes at a very timely moment ahead of Hari Raya Aidiladha next week,” he said. 

The overwhelming response has indirectly reflected how the state government’s initiative serves as a “breathing space”, offering relief to the people in coping with cost-of-living pressures.

Healthcare worker Mohd Faizal Samsudin, 43, expressed hope that the initiative would be expanded to more locations so that more people could benefit and save on household spending.

Meanwhile, private sector employee S. Nithya, 38, from Perling, who attended with her mother and siblings, described the prices offered under JKJ as reminiscent of an earlier time when goods could be bought at lower prices.

“It’s good that JKJ exists because at least we can enjoy direct benefits. Even if we have to queue early in the morning, it’s worth it as long as we can get cheaper goods,” she said.

Housewife Kamariah Ahmad, 60, expressed gratitude for the state government’s concern and hoped similar efforts would be expanded, including increasing chicken supplies as it is her children’s favourite item, especially for the festive season.

Meanwhile, at the Permanent Farmers’ Market in Mersing, visually impaired senior citizen Husin Ali, 76, from Kampung Tenglu, said he was grateful that the combo set was sufficient to support him and his wife for about two weeks, including throughout the festive season.

Housewife Norazimah Mohd Yasa, 51, from Kampung Sungai Muka Dua and security guard Syed Haiqual Syed Mohamed, 35, also shared the view that the programme represented a golden opportunity to save for those with unstable and limited incomes.

For physically disabled single mother Nora Mohd, 46, she said she always looked forward to such programmes and would make an effort to attend even if the venue was far from her home in Kampung Wak Salam.

“Sometimes, even when I’m not feeling well, I still make the effort to come because the savings are significant. With RM15, you can get three essential items. You definitely can’t get that elsewhere,” said the mother of three.

Norazimah Mohd Yasa, 51, who travelled by motorcycle from Kampung Sungai Muka Dua, said she always kept track of announcements on the discounted sales programme introduced since 2023, as the significant price differences helped reduce monthly household expenses. 

“My husband works as a tow truck driver and his income is irregular, so we have to be more careful with daily spending,” said the mother of three.

To meet high demand during the festive season, JKJ implementation for this month and June will continue with a target of benefiting 750,200 families, involving more than three million recipients across the state.

The programme includes the offering of more than 750,000 Kasih Combo Sets, alongside sales of various other items such as vegetables, fish and agro-based products at reasonable prices.

-- BERNAMA