KUALA LUMPUR: Discounted groceries at the neighbourhood Rahmah sale and job opportunities from career fairs were among the unity government’s initiatives that got the thumbs up from Malaysians.

As the administration reaches its two-year anniversary, people told The Star that they were also grateful for the stability and consistency in leadership that the administration provided.

This was unlike the period between 2018 and late 2022 when the country saw three prime ministers taking the helm after the government changed hands, they said.

“My mind is finally at ease that we are at peace after years of different prime ministers and political turmoil,” said telecommunication sales part-timer Candy Wong, 51.

“Especially because it has allowed the government to implement and launch more programmes to help the people, like the Rahmah programmes.”

Wong and her husband travelled from Seremban to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) to attend the Madani government’s two-year anniversary celebration (2TM), which ended yesterday.

She said she hopes the government would give out more subsidies on essential goods and put more resources into improving public education.

Retiree Goh Thing Guan, 72, also praised the unity government for surviving the Opposition’s attempts to topple it two years ago.

“It is nice to see that we finally have a stable government after so many turbulent years of uncertainty, which is good for both my mental and physical health.

“I just hope that this political stability can finally help us stabilise our currency so that prices of imported goods don’t keep rising,” said Goh, who was at the fair with his wife from Seri Kembangan.

Housewife Yogeswari Balan, 47, echoed Wong’s views on the Rahmah initiative, saying it was the unity government’s key achievement.

“Being able to get my groceries at such reasonable prices is almost unthinkable if not for the Rahmah sales the government holds every few months.

“I do hope they continue this as it’s one of the few ways they can help us in the middle-income and B40 group survive the insane rise in prices for everything,” she said as she shopped for discounted household goods at the event’s Rahmah sale.

The sale was part of the three-day 2TM event at KLCC.

Hailing from Shah Alam, Yogeswari said she wanted the government to make it easier for low-income groups to get housing loans.

Nurlysha Abu Hasan said the Menu Rahmah scheme was a lifesaver for her during her time in university.

“I literally lived off Menu Rahmah during my studies and the affordable essentials under Payung Rahmah also helped ensure I did not have to burden my family in order to survive in Kuala Lumpur,” said the 23-year-old.

Nurlysha, who now works as a traditional clothing brand’s digital strategist, wants the government to fix last-mile connectivity issues in the public transportation system.

Interior designer Nadgunalan Ravichandran said he got his current job through the connections he made at one of the government’s job fairs.

“I do hope they continue holding more job fairs in the coming years as our economy is expected to expand and more youths will need jobs,” said the 25-year-old who came from Gombak.

Muhammad Khairul Anuar, 34, said he likes the e-invoicing scheme as it can root out malicious practices and corruption.

“It’s a good step towards giving people the confidence that our money is being used correctly.”

Muhammad Khairul, who works in the automotive industry, also praised the government’s targeted diesel subsidy as a positive step towards protecting local industries.

“Though the worrying thing now is the increase in the number of foreign businesses setting up shop with local ‘sleeping’ partners who act as proxies,” said the Kepong resident.

“I do hope the government realises and addresses this issue before foreign businesses start taking over and out-competing locals.”

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/11/25/initiatives-help-stretch-the-ringgit