TAWAU, Sept 7 (Bernama) — The government is enhancing its monitoring mechanisms to ensure essential goods, especially rice, remain sufficient to meet public demand under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) Appreciation Aid programme.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said real-time data will be used to identify the most purchased items and ensure that there are no disruptions in market supply.
“We are getting the data in real time. If redemption reaches a certain threshold, we can identify which categories of products are most in demand and work out to balance supply so that when people go to any participating outlet, there will be stock available for them to redeem.
“For items such as rice, this falls under the purview of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM). Based on the first week of the SARA programme, I will request an assessment of stock levels and what measures can be taken to ensure there are no disruptions,” he said.
He told reporters this after visiting a supermarket in Merotai here today to observe the redemption process. Also present were Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa and Information Department director-general Julina Johan.
Fahmi said the issue of supply under the SARA programme will be discussed in a meeting next Wednesday, during which a special mechanism will be drawn up to balance stock availability based on demand at specific locations.
Based on today’s survey, he said local rice was among the most sought-after items at the supermarket visited, with demand so high that stocks were completely sold out.
In the Merotai state constituency, he said, there are currently only two SARA redemption outlets. A study will therefore be carried out to determine if more outlets are needed based on current requirements.
“The SARA programme started with around 700,000 recipients across more than 2,000 premises. Today, we already have over 7,300 premises. I believe that number can be further increased,” he said.
He added that there is also a need to set up a dedicated hotline following complaints from both SARA recipients and counter staff about occasional system disruptions.
— BERNAMA
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