PAPAR: Consumers in Sabah and FT Labuan now have the opportunity buying a range of essential goods at lower prices with discounts of up to 70 per cent only at 58 outlets of Bataras supermarkets including here.
Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said such initiative, ‘Price Reduction Campaign @ Bataras’, is organised by a local retailer Bataras Sdn Bhd, which reflects the commitment of certain industry players in helping to ease the cost of living for the people.
He said the campaign, which runs from April 15 until June 30, 2026, offers discounts between three and 70 per cent on selected goods which is lower than the original prices covering some 9,000 items to choose from.
“Through the campaign, consumers is not only allowing consumers buying cheaper goods but could also easing their financial burden of daily expenses amid rising living costs.
“In fact, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) welcomes the implementation of this campaign as a collective effort to help reduce the cost of essential goods, especially due to the ongoing global supply crisis following the prolonged conflict in West Asia.
“This initiative should be expanded and emulated by more players, including other retail sub-sectors, as a collective responsibility to cushion consumers from rising costs,” he said.
Armizan said this to reporters after officiating the Price Reduction Campaign @ Bataras held at Plaza 222 here on Sunday.
Also present were Assistant Minister of Rural Development Datuk Juil Nuatim who is also Limbahau assemblyman and Pantai Manis assemblyman Datuk Pengiran Saifuddin Pengiran Tahir Petra.
Armizan said this initiative demonstrates how certain private sector can complement government measures in ensuring the wellbeing of the rakyat and to address cost-of living pressures.
Hence, he said KPDN called on more companies and players within the retail sub-sector to emulate and implement the price reduction initiatives, similar to those implemented by Bataras Supermarket.
Armizan said greater participation from retailers in such campaign is crucial, particularly amid ongoing global economic pressures stemming from the prolonged conflict in West Asia, which has impacted supply chains and market prices.
“Not only consumers, but companies, including retailers, are also facing challenges due to the effects of the West Asia conflict, which has disrupted global supply and ultimately placed pressure on the availability and pricing of goods.
“As such, KPDN welcomes more companies to emulate Bataras’ efforts by implementing their own price reduction programmes for the benefit of the public,” Armizan said.
He said such efforts also in line with the ‘whole-of-nation’ approach adopted by the government in facing global challenges, including supply uncertainties arising from geopolitical conflicts
“We are aware that the conflict in West Asia, which has been ongoing since Feb 28, is unlikely to be resolved in the near future, and the recovery of energy infrastructure in the affected Middle East region will also take time.
“All of these will affect supply as well as prices, and the impact is now increasingly being felt, including in the cost of goods. One of the sectors currently experiencing a significant impact is plastic supply, as plastics are produced from petrochemicals derived from oil and gas,” he said.
In this regard, Armizan stressed that close cooperation between the government and the private sector is essential to ensure the continued well-being of the people, particularly in maintaining affordable prices of goods in the market.
