KUALA NERUS: The government has allocated RM200mil to implement the Price Standardisation Programme in six states this year.

       Deputy Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Rosol Wahid (pic) said the states were Sabah, Sarawak, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Pahang.

       He said the allocation would benefit about 1.2 million people in the interior areas and islands who had to pay higher prices for essential items than those in urban areas due to distance and logistical factors.

       "A total of 798 distribution areas in 189 zones has been identified for implementation of the programme.

       "In Sabah, we have 224 distribution areas, 540 in Sarawak, one in Kedah, 15 in Kelantan, two in Terengganu and 16 in Pahang," he said at a Price Standardisation Programme event in Pulau Redang Friday (March 18).

       The ministry’s Terangganu director Saharuddin Mohd Kia was also present.

       Rosol said the ministry would ensure that the supply of food items including chicken and eggs would be sufficient for the upcoming fasting month.

       "The ministry will also ensure there is no hoarding of chicken and eggs by traders that month.

       "We have also been assured by the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry that there would be no shortage or supply disruption of essential items.

       "We expect a slight increase in prices during the fasting month but we remind traders to refrain from hoarding," he added. – Bernama