Kota Kinabalu: Companies in Sabah have been urged to follow the example set by Bidfood East Malaysia Sdn Bhd, which organised a Ramadan Madani sale offering essential goods at lower and affordable prices.
Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, said the initiative reflected a significant and meaningful corporate social responsibility (CSR) effort that should be replicated by private sector, particularly during festive seasons when the cost of living weighs heavily on low-income families.
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While congratulating the company for organising such programme that benefits especially low-income earners, he said such noble CSR effort should inspire other firms to follow suit and share their profits with the community.
He said programmes such as the Ramadan sale not only help ease the financial burden of consumers but also demonstrate how businesses can share their success and profits with the wider community.
“When companies make profits, we should also try to share them. We must not forget those who are in need.
“I think conducting this CSR program by Bidfood is very timely as it was held in conjunction with the Ramadan month and ahead of upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
“The response has been very encouraging. This shows that the community, especially those in need, truly appreciate efforts like this,” he said.
Joniston said this to reporters when met at the company premises selling some essential items at cheaper prices in Kolombong near here on Sunday.
The company is selling two whole chicken at RM10, two butter packs for RM10 and two packets of crinkle cut fries are sold at RM10, among others.
He was pleased that the public response was very encouraging which showed that the community particularly those from the low-income group who truly appreciate such efforts that help to ease their financial burden.
Joniston hoped that the initiative would continue and serve as a model for other companies.
Asked whether other firms had come forward with similar efforts, he said several had done so, but more are welcome.
“There are quite a number of companies that have stepped forward, but we would like to see even more.
“From time to time, similar sales can be organised because programmes like this greatly help the low-income group,” he said.
Joniston added that the strong turnout at the sale reflected the positive reception from the community and underscored the importance of sustained corporate support initiatives.
Meanwhile, Bidfood East Malaysia Sdn Bhd Managing Director Dr Tai Gin Loon aid the company has been organising the Ramadan Madani sale for three consecutive years, with plans to expand the initiative following growing public demand.
He said the programme was introduced three years ago as a pre-Hari Raya Aidilfitri initiative and has since become an annual effort.
While the focus has been on Aidilfitri, Dr Tai said the company is considering extending similar initiatives to other festive seasons such as Christmas this year.
On pricing, he said more than 15 per cent of the items sold at the company’s Madani sale are subsidised and priced well below cost.
“I wouldn’t say every item is below cost, but more than 15 per cent of the items we subsidise. Some are way below cost. We just want everyone to celebrate Aidilfitri and have a good Ramadan,” he said.
Last year, the company generated about RM50,000 in revenue from the sale, bringing in 2,000 chickens as part of the offerings.
“This year, we increased it to 3,000 chickens. Every year, we increase,” he said, adding that the company aims to target 5,000 chickens next year in response to strong demand.
Dr Tai said the demand was evident, with some items priced as much as 50 per cent below market rates.
“There is definitely demand because the prices are way below market price. This morning, people started queuing as early as 6am,” he said, while adding that the program is continued until stocks last.
He added that improvements had been made this year after lessons learnt previously.
“Last year, we had only one payment counter and people had to queue under the hot sun. We learnt a lot from that. This year, we have three counters to ease the process,” he said.
