EKSKLUSIF: Isu Harga Produk KR1M & Carrefour

MEDIA RELEASE 14th November 2011

"NO MORE PERCEPTIONS, JUST THE WHOLE TRUTH"

The low-income earners especially in the urban areas are faced with a host of different challenges. Feeding, clothing, sheltering and schooling children can be very difficult on a small or non-existent budget. Changes in economic climate caused by the higher oil prices have pushed the commodity prices substantially. This factor will give great impacts on domestic food production that may lead to inflation.

In view of this factor, the Government has come up with an initiative to set up a convenience shop that carries basic necessities items and priced affordably for the low income earners. This is to ensure that the low-income earners can still buy necessity items especially food, with enough nutrition to feed themselves and their families so they will stay healthy. At the same time, this will also help to curb unnecessary price increase in the Malaysian market caused by irresponsible traders. This is how Kedai Rakyat 1 Malaysia (KR1M) came into picture.

How do we materialise KR1M?

First, a location is being identified which must be strategically located within the needful families. A shop is then being erected, followed by infrastructure works and set up works. 250 items are being identified for KR1M branding and placed in the shop within a short span of time. It is important to note here that due to this nature of business that is non-profitable, no hypermarkets are willing to offer their involvement. MYDIN is willing to come in as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility Program (CSR) to help lessen the burden of the poor by sacrificing their margin to provide low price items at good standard quality so that the basic needs of the poor people are being taken care of.

To date, there are 6 KR1M outlets operating in the Klang Valley and Tengkera, Melaka. Its existence has received tremendous response and the low income earners and daily salary earners have expressed their appreciations and gratitude as this has achieved its objective in lessening their burdens. Consumers can enjoy savings of between 30% - 50% when buying KR1M products compared to popular international brands. By the end of this year, the country is expected to have 25 KR1M shops to serve the Rakyat.

Dato’ (Dr.) Haji Ameer Ali bin Mydin, is the spokesperson today representing the IKS / PKS entrepreneurs, local manufacturers and local suppliers whom are supplying the 1Malaysia products for Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia outlets. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other Associations are also here to express their views and concerns constructively.

Recently, certain parties raised an issue of prices of KR1M products found to be more expensive than other hypermarkets.

What are their motives? Are the comparisons made compatible? Are their allegations true?

The Press Conference today is to clarify issues brought up by the certain parties on the 9th November 2011 and 11th November 2011.

Their allegations on 9th November 2011 that KR1M products are more expensive for 23 products bought in Carrefour have met with a dead end when KR1M managed to clarify that the comparisons were unjustifiable as it was not made “apple to apple”. (please see the attached powerpoint presentation)

As for their allegations on the 11th November 2011, it has stirred the local manufacturers and suppliers whom have approached Kedai Rakyat 1 Malaysia to call for this Press Conference and be the spokesperson on behalf of the local suppliers.

“IKS and local manufacturers / suppliers are very concerned with the misinformation given out by the certain parties and had approached us to hold a Press Conference to explain the truth. As a Malaysian company, we hold IKS and local entrepreneurs close to our heart, therefore we feel oblige to do so” says Dato’ (Dr) Hj Ameer Ali bin Mydin, the Managing Director of Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd.

For improvement purposes, KR1M has taken immediate action in conducting checks on its products although certificates are already provided by the manufacturers / suppliers or their perspective products.

On an ending note, KR1M has no hesitation in answering all enquiries raised by certain parties in a most diligent and transparent manner to ensure public would not be misled by unjustified source of information. Thank you.

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Credit to:

Rafidah Mohd Salleh
Nor Syariza Mohd Tahir
News & Media Department
For Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia.