BUKIT MERTAJAM, March 29 (Bernama) -- The Penang branch of the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) has allocated RM160,000 to implement the Retail Sector Digitalisation Initiative (ReDI) in the state this year.

Its director S. Jegan,  said two Rahmah Ramadan Bazaar (BRR) sites - the Jalan Mahkamah bazaar in Bayan Lepas and the Ban Busuk bazaar in Kubang Semang - are the state's BRR pioneers, adding that the initiative promotes e-wallet usage among consumers and aims to establish a cashless community ecosystem.

"The ReDI programme started at the Jalan Mahkamah Bayan Lepas bazaar on March 15 and 27, and at the Ban Busuk Kubang Semang bazaar on March 22. Today, it continues in partnership with e-wallet provider TNG Digital Sdn. Bhd.

"To promote e-wallet usage at each BRR, the first 2,000 visitors on selected dates received an RM20 incentive, totaling RM160,000," he told reporters after a walkabout at the Ban Busuk BRR here today.

Jegan said as a token of appreciation, traders participating in the BRR programme also received an incentive in the form of a RM50 Caltex petrol card from Pen Petroleum Sdn. Bhd.

He said so far, 35 traders at the two bazaars have participated in the BBR programme offering various iftar dishes with Rahmah concept at a maximum price of RM5.

On another note, Jegan said  during Ops Pantau, his team conducted 1,432 premise inspections across the state since March 12 and they managed to address 18 cases resulting in seizures amounting to RM289,589.

“We deploy enforcement and price monitoring officers daily at both premises and Ramadan bazaars. As of now, the situation in Penang remains well-managed, with no reported complaints regarding traders selling goods and food at inflated prices," he added.

--BERNAMA