![[UPDATED] More Jualan Rahmah Madani to help with living costs](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FPJ210725FH039_1753239598.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
[UPDATED] More Jualan Rahmah Madani to help with living costs
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the initial allocation of RM300 million for this year's programme will be increased to further strengthen the initiative.
"The additional funds will allow us to increase the frequency of sales and widen the number of locations nationwide, covering all 600 state constituencies.
"We will also add more product varieties to give the public a wider range of choices," he said in his highly anticipated announcement, which was described as an "extraordinary tribute" to Malaysians.
Yesterday, Anwar shared on Facebook that the announcement would reflect the Madani government's concern for Malaysians and the shared hope for a fairer and more prosperous future.
He said that the announcement today would serve as a testament to the shared commitment to creating a more equitable and prosperous future.
In his address, Anwar said Malaysia's economy remains on a strong footing, supported by consistent growth, record investments and a strengthening ringgit.
He said the country posted a 4.4 per cent gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the first quarter of this year, with the second quarter expected to reach 4.5 per cent.
Malaysia also jumped 11 places to 23rd in the 2025 World Competitiveness Index, while approved investments hit an all-time high of RM384 billion last year, up 17 per cent from 2023.
The prime minister added that the ringgit has strengthened by more than five per cent against the US dollar this year to RM4.23, making it one of Asia's best-performing currencies.
This strong performance, Anwar said, had enabled the government to implement measures to improve living standards.
He also said that the unemployment rate dropped to 3.0 per cent in May, the lowest in over a decade, while over 250,000 jobs were created between 2023 and 2024.
He added that the minimum wage was raised to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, with full implementation on Aug 1, and 153,000 workers under government-linked companies now earn a living wage of RM3,100 monthly.
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