MIRI: Two people’s representatives in this region have applauded the federal government’s decision to set aside RM83.2mil out RM150mil for this year’s price standardisation programme in Sarawak.
The amount was revealed by Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi in Parliament on Thursday (Aug 6), when replying to a supplementary question from Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong (GPS-Hulu Rajang).
“I’m all for it, but we have to monitor and make sure that it’s implemented to the best of our ability, so that the rakyat can benefit from the programme,” opined Assistant Minister for Local Government and Housing Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, who is also Marudi assemblyman.
Penguang emphasised proper planning prior to implementation and monitoring to make sure “what’s being delivered by the government goes to the people and not the middle men.”
On the allocation given to Sarawak, especially to help those in rural areas, he said this showed the federal government’s willingness to assist the rakyat.
“That’s what we call partnership government…creating a win-win situation between the federal and state governments that would benefit the rakyat at the end of the day.”
The programme would help ease the rakyat’s cost of living, he said, whereby they could acquire controlled items such as rice, sugar, cooking oil, flour, gas cylinders, petrol and diesel, at a subsidised price.
Marudi, a town located about one-and-a-half hours’ drive from Miri city, has a population of about 100,000 in 300 settlements.
For Bekenu assemblywoman Rosey Yunus, the initiative showed that the government cared for the people’s wellbeing.
“Via the programme, the rakyat can purchase those items at subsidised prices,” added Rosey, who is also Assistant Minister for Women, Family and Childhood Development.
Bekenu has a population of 25,000.
