SHAH ALAM, Dec 13 — The Jelajah Ehsan Rakyat (JER) roadshow conducted by the Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS) will resume as early as mid-January next year on a larger scale with the cooperation of several relevant ministries and agencies.

Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the roadshow, with a subsidy allocation of RM5 million, was held starting Aug 31, and managed to record sales of about RM16 million from more than 500,000 buyers.

He said that the number of buyers showed much support the roadshow received, especially with the rising prices of food items.

"After this, SADC will take a break for two to three weeks before resuming for JER 2.0 next year or on Jan 15,” he told reporters after the JER appreciation ceremony here today.

He said the programme would be held in collaboration with the federal government through the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) with the assistance of Selangor Warga Hijrah Berhad (Kohijrah) cooperative.

"We will see how it will be implemented later but basically, we estimate the government needs to spend RM10 million to RM15 million within three months of the programme to continue efforts to reduce the people’s burden before the efforts and price controls implemented by the federal government can bear results,” he said.

Amirudin said with additional items on sale at the JER programme next year, as many as 800,000 to one million buyers will be able to enjoy its benefits, adding that he will scrutinise the list of suitable items.

Regarding the ‘Sotong Ride’ incident in Eco Grandeur, Kuala Selangor last night, he said his office was waiting for a report and the full investigation.

"I request that the local authorities be more assertive so that this does not happen again... but the operation may be held on lease by the developer. However, any activity must be approved by the authorities, otherwise, it violates the rules because it involves licences, entertainment permits and so on,” he said. — Bernama