“Why don’t we try to set up a supermarket (that sells) affordable products? Ten years ago, I visited the UK and the US, and they had supermarkets that sold affordable items,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.

Salahuddin said some products were expensive due to branding although they were similar to others quality-wise.

“So they (the UK and the US) have these hypermarkets for the needy, and the (volume) of customers and profits seems to be quite appealing for us to follow suit.”

He said he would continue to have engagements with industry players to obtain their feedback on his proposal.

Salahuddin also proposed that the country’s wealthy invest in such affordable hypermarkets.

“We have so many billionaires here, why not get them to invest in these supermarkets? This will benefit the people,” he said, in response to a question from Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah) on the implementation and effectiveness of the Jualan Rahmah programme launched on Jan 11.

He said government buildings could be used to roll out the Jualan Rahmah programme to reach those living in rural areas or in locations without supermarkets or hypermarkets.

He also said the ministry would engage with sundry store owners and provide incentives such as subsidies for them to take part in the programme.

Alternatively, it could transport products for the programme to remote areas, such as using boats.

On the RM100 million allocated for the programme announced in Budget 2023 in all parliamentary constituencies, Salahuddin said the funds could be used to conduct Jualan Rahmah sales four times a week in each constituency.