BA100 initiative to reduce prices of goods, role of middlemen

PUTRAJAYA: The National Cost of Living Action Council (MTSHN) will implement the 100 Basic Goods Programme (BA100) — an initiative aimed at reducing the prices of goods and the role of middlemen, and boosting the production of basic goods.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who chairs MTSHN, said the implementation of BA100, which would involve the Entrepreneur Development Ministry, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry and Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Bhd (Angkasa), was part of government efforts to check the cost of living.

She said Angkasa, the national cooperative movement with 6.1 million members as at June 30, 2018, could play an important role in helping the government to tackle the cost of living issue through the development of wholesale, retail and agricultural programmes.

“Wholesale and retail involve strengthening the cooperative distribution centre.

“Retail involves development of cooperative products. “Agriculture involves livestock, fisheries, vegetables and fruits, and agricultural inputs,” she told a media conference after chairing the third MTSHN meeting here yesterday.

Among those present were Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Mohd Yusof.

Saifuddin Nasution said BA100 comprised 100 basic goods like flour, sugar, rice and other items normally purchased by the public, based on the observation of the cooperative.

“The idea is that if they can list these 100 basic goods and control the ecosystem involving wholesale, distribution and retail and have shops, then the 100 items can be sold in their shops at lower prices,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Wan Azizah said MTSHN had also agreed to expand the QFish programme nationwide by adopting the ‘ Individual Quick Freezing’ technology to help the government stabilise the prices of fish in the market.

“This QFish programme targets to increase the fish output capacity from 561 tonnes to 3,500 tonnes a year,” she said, adding that this initiative would also help overcome the problem of fish shortage in the market.

Dr Wan Azizah also announced the appointment of five new members of MTSHN – International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Ignatius Darrel Leiking, Attorney-General Tommy Thomas, Jeli MP Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation Sdn Bhd ( MDEC) chief executive officer Surina Shukri and Malaysian Youth Council president Jufitri Joha.