GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry’s Keluarga Malaysia Sales Programme (PJKM), held from December last year, until Saturday (Jan 19) has recorded RM2,010,694.22 in sales.

       State Trade, Industry and Entrepreneur Development Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain said a total of 71 PJKM were held in the state and the initiative has benefited a total of 83,568 consumers.

       "It is to help ease the cost of living of Penang residents and targets low-income households so that they can get daily necessities at up to 20% lower than the local market price," he said.

       Abdul Halim added that PJKM are held in collaboration between the state KPDNHEP and government agencies such as the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA), Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) and the National Farmers Organisation (NAFAS),” he told reporters after officiating the state-level National Consumer Month, here today. Also present was the state KPDNHEP chief enforcement officer, Peter J. Berinus Agang.

       In conjunction with the celebration, PJKM is being held at the Al Bukhary Mosque compound, Bandar Baru Sungai Pinang in Jelutong on Saturday.

       Abdul Halim said the involvement of major retail industry players in the programme is a sign of support for the initiative.

       He said PJKM would also be extended due to the high demand from consumers and implemented every Saturday and Sunday at strategic locations in 13 parliamentary constituencies. The list of PJKM locations can be obtained from the Penang KPDNHEP Facebook page.

       Meanwhile, a visitor, Siti Kamariah Ishak, 45, said she was always waiting for PJKM to buy necessities because it was cheaper and helped her with expenses.

       "I have five children and I can say that every week my husband and I will look for PJKM location, sometimes we go to Balik Pulau as the price of goods is cheaper and worth our efforts. We managed to save between RM200 and RM300 every month.

       "We, as buyers, hope this PJKM can continue because it really helps us. Even some items that are not available in the market such as packet oil and chicken eggs are sold at PJKM at cheaper prices,” said Siti Kamariah, a factory worker who lives in Bayan Baru. - Bernama