KUCHING: The federal government’s programme to standardise the prices of essential items for the rural folk has been successful, says Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi.

He said the programme, which has benefited those residing in rural areas across the country, had reached out to the B40 group.

“This programme has enabled our rural folk to buy essential items under the provided list at the same price as their counterparts in urban areas pay.

“As we all know it takes time and transportation cost for essential times to be sent to the rural reas. Under the programme, the government absorbs the transportation cost,” he told a press conference after launching the Taste of Malaysia@Bumi Kenyalang Campaign at Vivacity Megamall here yesterday.

Nanta said the government had allocated millions of ringgit annually to ensure the continuity and success of the programme of standardising the prices of essential items.

“This has been on since 2009, and the programme is considered successful. Every year, the government spends hundreds of millions to benefit rural folk throughout Malaysia.

“Now that we are getting more roads (in Sarawak), the prices of essentials goods may be getting even cheaper. We can narrow the gap,” he said.

Nanta, however, added that the government had to have tight supervision over the programme.

He said the ministry had enough manpower to monitor the continued implementation of the programme.

“We have a system, and we tender out at affordable prices. One must realise that this is a government programme to reach out to those burdened by the cost of transportation,” he added.

Assistant Minister of International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal, Entrepreneur Development Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais was with him at the press conference.