Seremban: A total of 20 Rest and Service Areas (R and R) along the North-South Expressway (PLUS) in Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, and Perak have been designated as Rest Stop Zones (ZPP) under the ‘Patuh’ programme starting today, Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh said. She noted that this initiative aims to foster a culture of business compliance, ensuring that the trade ecosystem in the country remains conducive and ethical. The programme encourages self-regulation among traders in line with legal standards.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, two main initiatives have been launched as pilot projects: the Patuh Rest Stop Zone (ZPP) and the Patuh Market (Pasar Patuh). The PLUS Seremban Southbound R and R is the first location in Malaysia to be designated as a ZPP under the Patuh programme, with other R and R sites to follow. Initially, the implementation covers 20 out of 29 PLUS rest and service areas, with plans to expand to other highways nationwide.

Fuziah explained that these rest areas were chosen due to their high visitor traffic and potential as platforms for consumer education, showcasing lawful, ethical, and integrity-based business practices. This strategy aligns with the government’s objective of bolstering public confidence in a fair, ethical, and competitive trading system.

She emphasized that the programme’s rollout highlights a collaborative effort among government agencies, the industry, and consumers, ensuring initiatives are executed comprehensively for maximum impact. Besides rest stop zones and markets, the Patuh Programme will also extend to supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, and tourism zones starting early next year.

Additionally, the Patuh market initiative aims to enhance compliance among public market traders, focusing on transparent pricing, precise weighing tools, and a clean trading environment. The programme will initially be introduced at one public market in each state before expanding nationwide.