KUALA LUMPUR: The National Malaysian Co-operative (Angkasa) is in the progress of identifying 3,000 shops for its Basic Necessities project (BA100) which offers items at discounted prices.
Under the BA100 programme, consumers can purchase 100 basic necessities at prices 10 to 20 per cent lower than market price.
Among the basic necessities are flour, sugar, cooking oil and rice packs, said Angkasa president, Datuk Abdul Fattah Abdullah.
“Currently we are identifying 3,000 shops nationwide to run it. Our main aim through this is to help the needy and show that the co-operative can play an important role in the community,” he said today.
“We are finalising the shops and once everything is settled, we plan to roll out the system before Ramadan.”
He said currently basic items were expensive as they still needed to go through various stages from the factory. “In between, there is the manufacturer, producer, middleman and wholesaler, and in each stage there is cost.
“We want to eliminate that, get the things directly from the manufacturer and provide the people a cheaper option.
“This is also a way for us to answer the call by the government to help reduce the rising cost of living,” said Abdul Fattah.
Meanwhile, through generous contributions from Angkasa members and staff, RM92,040.20 was raised for the Tabung Kemanusiaan Rohingya Media Prima.
The cheque was presented today by Abdul Fattah to Berita Harian group editor, Mohammad Khaidir Abdul Majid.
Abdul Fattah said this was part of the co-operative’s seventh principle which was to be concerned over surroundings.
He said the amount was raised by all the co-operatives from all over Malaysia. Besides raising funds for the Rohingya, Abdul Fattah said the co-operative has previously raised funds to help victims of the Mangkhut typhoon in Philippines, earthquake in Palu, Indonesia and Nepal.
Mohammad Khaidir said the humanitarian fund for Rohingya had raised RM761,000 since it was first established in November 2016.
The disbursement of the funds has been divided to several non-governmental organisation such as the Perdana Global Peace Foundation and Malaysian Medical Relief Society, where both have been running humanitarian and medical relief efforts in Rakhine state.
Contributions for the fund can be made to Tabung Kemanusiaan Rohingya Media Prima via cash deposit to Maybank account (5642-7652-2630). Individuals can also send cheques made payable to Tabung Kemanusiaan Rohingya Media Prima and address it to: The Group Corporate Communications Department, Media Prima Bhd, Level 1, Anjung Riong, Balai Berita, 31, Jalan Riong, 59100 Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.
You can visit www.mediaprima.com.my/ donate-for-rohingya for more details. Enquiries can be directed to the Group Corporate Communications Department of Media Prima at 03-2724 8959/8957.