KUALA LUMPUR, February 5 - The cost of living indicator will be used as an improvement mechanism for the Rahmah Sales Programme (PJR).

Economy Deputy Minister Hanifah Hajar Taib said this is to ensure that the implementation reaches its target and proves its effectiveness for the group targeted.

"The government through the National Action Council on Cost of Living (NACCOL) under the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) continues to carry out continuous efforts to overcome the issue of rising living costs by focusing on seven priority clusters which are housing, education, transportation, utilities, healthcare, food and income." said Hanifah.

She was answering a question in the Dewan Rakyat, from Subang's Member of Parliament, Wong Chen with respect to the Department of Statistics' recommendations to counter the rising living costs.

She added that the consumerism campaign will also be intensified for smart purchases based on needs, thus avoiding expenses related to lifestyle costs.

In the meantime, Hanifah said that nearly RM13 billion has been allocated for the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives to help the people deal with the rising living costs.

"Among the measures taken to overcome the issue of living costs through short-term strategies are Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah with an allocation of almost RM13 billion, the implementation of the Payung Rahmah initiative of RM300 million, as well as price control programmes through partnerships with various stakeholders of RM700 million," she said.

Furthermore, she also said an allocation of RM40 million was also channeled for the Price Standardisation Programme in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.