Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak launched the first of many 1Malaysia shops in the country, designed to help bring down the prices of goods and ease the burden of the common man.
He noted that the launch of the shop showed that the 1Malaysia concept was not just a slogan but it took care of the people's basic needs.
Najib said that as the country marched towards becoming a developed nation, the Government still ensured the people were taken care of.
“It is (1Malaysia) not ceremonial, rhetoric or something distant. It has moved forward to offering the people products and services that meet their needs,” he said at the launch of Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia at the Kelana Jaya LRT station here yesterday. The shop would operate from 7am until 11pm.
Also present was Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and SPAD officials.
Najib said the shop retailed 250 grocery items under the brand name “Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia” at prices 30% to 40% lower than market prices.
The Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia would be run by Mydin Mohamed Holding Berhad.
Najib said the Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia was similar to the “restaurant rakyat” that his father, the late Tun Abdul Razak, initiated in the 1970s when he was Prime Minister.
“Just like the restaurants that sold food at a very low price, the Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia will offer customers products like rice, flour, condensed milk, water, and chilli sauce at very reasonable prices,” he said.
He said the bulk-buying system at Mydin and its no-frills and simple packaging allowed these products to be sold at the lowest prices.
“This is a very innovative move by small and medium enterprises and it has given a very strong boost to small businesses in the country,” he said.
He said it would also allow the Government to get basic necessities at the cheapest prices from Mydin whenever there were disasters like flood.
Najib said Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia would be set up in other places just like how the 1Malaysia clinics had also been established in states like Sabah and Sarawak.
“The restaurant rakyat, 1Malaysia clinics and the Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia all encourage unity among people of different races,” he said.
Mydin managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin said the shop, which operates on a mini market format, would sell quality goods, including basic necessities such as rice, cooking oil, eggs, milk powder and diapers.
“It is the Government's initiative to help those financially distressed in urban areas.
“The Prime Minister wants to help lessen the rakyat's burden.
“The quality of goods will not be compromised despite the items being sold at affordable prices.
“It is value for money. For example, a 425gm tin of sardine is sold for about RM6.20 at normal shops but the Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia sells it for RM2.99,” he said, adding that there was no limit to how much a person could purchase at one go.
The shops, he said would focus on products manufactured by local small and medium entrepreneurs and would also sell other Mydin products.
“There are plans to open more outlets at strategic locations to help those in need,” he added.
