PUTRAJAYA, March 27 (Bernama) -- The Rahmah Ramadan Bazaar (BRR), which is the latest product under the Payung Rahman initiative of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), is implemented in 38 locations nationwide, said its Minister, Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub.

Speaking to reporters after the launch of the BRR at the Precinct 14 Ramadan Bazaar, here, today, he said that the implementation of the BRR is a result of cooperation by traders through engagement with KPDN in offering Menu Rahmah prices as an effort to reduce the cost of living for the people.

“At the bazaar, there are about 148 stalls and almost 48 per cent of the stalls offer Menu Rahmah with a minimum price of RM5 and below.

“They also sell lamb shank sets, which usually cost over RM50 per set. But here the price starts from RM30 depending on the menu selected,” he said, adding that almost 100 per cent of transactions at the BRR are cashless.

Some of the other BRRs are the Rahmah Food Truck Ramadan Bazaar in Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur; Bayan Baru Ramadan Bazaar in Penang; Ipoh People Walk Ramadan Bazaar, Perak; and Binjai Rendah Ramadan Bazaar in Marang, Terengganu.

Visitors to the bazaars can visit stalls with Menu Rahmah stickers to get buka puasa (breaking of fast) food items at reasonable prices.

On complaints about the prices of food sold at Ramadan bazaars, he said the KPDN had received 99 complaints, so far, and KPDN enforcement officers always carried out monitoring operations to prevent traders from selling food at arbitrary prices.

He also said that KPDN officers had checked a stall at a Ramadan bazaar that allegedly sold nasi ayam berempah (spiced chicken rice) at RM15 as viralled on social media, but the stall has since closed down after receiving a lot of criticisms.

“So far, I never heard of excessive pricing, except for the nasi ayam berempah. Usually, the price of a plate of rice and vegetables is between RM8 and RM9 and, as such, RM15 is not reasonable,” he said.

On the supply of eggs, he said the Department of Veterinary Services stated that it is stable at the national level and, if there are any shortages, it only happens in certain areas.

Salahuddin, however, urged industry players to immediately inform the KPDN if there is any egg shortage issue in their respective areas.

The media yesterday reported that the supply of eggs in Terengganu dropped by as much as 33 per cent in the month of Ramadan following a lack of supply from suppliers.

It is estimated that the demand for eggs in Terengganu is about 1 million per day. The supply received is about 600,000 and the supply decreased during Ramadan to about 400,000.

-- BERNAMA