KUALA TERENGGANU – The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry will immediately send food bank assistance to residents in flood-affected states, said its minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub.
He said the ministry had so far focused on the distribution of ready-to-cook food and dry food to relief centres in badly affected areas such as Kluang and Segamat in Johor.
“Don’t worry as there will be enough supply. I am confident that not only the ministry, but also the Social Welfare Department and other parties such as the state government, will also provide food,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after officiating the Rahmah Menu and the handover of Rahmah Basket contributions at Infaq Restaurant, Wakaf Tok Pelam here today.
Salahuddin said the ministry would also work with the authorities and rescue agencies in the affected areas to ensure that food supplies reached the victims, including in locations difficult to access.
Based on SWD’s InfoBencana portal, Johor is worst affected by the floods at present, with over 7,000 victims from 2,000 families.
Meanwhile, Salahuddin said that so far, 1,142 food premises have participated in the Rahmah Menu initiative across the country.
“The ministry is calling for more industry players, especially in the restaurant and food industry, to join hands with the government to make this a success and ease the cost of living for the people,” he said.
Earlier, in a separate programme, Salahuddin said the ministry hoped that rental rates for premises in Ramadan bazaars this year could be reduced to allow traders to sell food and drinks at lower or “Rahmah” prices.
He said his ministry would discuss the matter with the Local Government Development Ministry and the respective local authorities.
“So far Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the Ipoh City Council are among the first to offer places for us to hold Rahmah Ramadan Bazaar sales. We will also identify other potential locations throughout the country,” he told reporters after officiating the Rahmah Sales Programme at the Sabasun HyperRuncit supermarket in Bukit Kecil here, today. – Bernama, March 1, 2023
