BATU KURAU: More people will be able to buy necessity goods at a lower price with the opening of more Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M 2.0) outlets in six states including Sabah and Sarawak.
Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin said the ministry is in talks with two major companies to set-up KR1M 2.0 stores at states located in the Northern region and East Malaysia.
One of the companies, said Hamzah, will open KR1M 2.0 outlets in Sabah and Sarawak while the other company will handle the operation of the stores in Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis.
“We are discussing the details over the setting-up of KR1M 2.0 outlets, which needed some adjustments especially for the stores in the Northern region.
“As for now, I cannot reveal all the details.
“However, I will make an announcement (over the opening of KR1M 2.0) after we have finalized and completed our discussion with the two companies,” he said after opening the SMK Kampung Perak Parent-Teacher Association’s (PTA) annual general meeting here today.
Hamzah also gave his assurance that local entrepreneurs will be given more opportunities to market their products at KR1M 2.0 stores.
Responding to the calls made by Sabah Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad, Hamzah said ministry will appoint companies from Sabah and Sarawak to handle operations of the stores at the two states.
“We have come to such decision to avoid any disputes or problems from arising in the future,” he said.
The move to restructure Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia into KR1M 2.0 was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak when he tabled the 2018 Budget in October last year.
A total of 50 outlets would be transformed into KR1M 2.0 this year and that it would be expanded further to 3,000 outlets within the three years.
Earlier, Hamzah, who is also the Larut Member of Parliament, announced RM200,000 allocation to upgrade SMK Kampung Perak. He also announced an allocation of RM5,000 for the SMK Batu Kurau’s PTA to conduct their activities.