Papar: Consumers in Sabah can purchase 30 types of fresh produce at prices five to 30 per cent lower under the Turun Harga Barangan Segar @ Bataras Campaign, which began today and will run for more than two months. The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) said the campaign, organised by Bataras Sdn Bhd, is being implemented at all Bataras Supermarket branches throughout Sabah until Oct 31 as part of its effort to help ease consumers' burden of daily expenses.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the implementation of this campaign aligns with the government's desire to activate the agenda of togetherness of all parties through a whole-of-nation approach in addressing the cost of living issue, which is one of the global challenges. The involvement of the private sector is crucial to ensuring success in addressing cost of living issues, in line with the whole-of-nation approach that demands cooperation between the government, industry, and community. This effort should be expanded and emulated by more industry players, including other retail sub-sectors, as a manifestation of shared responsibility in preserving the well-being of the people, KPDN stated in a statement today.

Pantai Manis state assemblyman Datuk Pengiran Saifuddin Pengiran Tahir officiated the launch of the campaign at the Papar Bataras Supermarket. KPDN said the campaign provides consumers with the opportunity to purchase selected fresh items at lower prices, thereby helping to reduce expenses on daily household necessities. It also demonstrates the role of industry players in helping the government jointly address the cost-of-living pressures, while ensuring consumers have more options to purchase items at affordable prices.

KPDN hopes that the campaign can be continued and expanded by more industry players, especially in the retail sector, to provide direct benefits to consumers. Bataras Sdn Bhd is a local company that began operating in 1998, and it currently has 58 Bataras Supermarket branches throughout Sabah.