Labuan picked for consumerism programmes

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LABUAN: Despite being a duty-free island, Labuan has been listed as one of the key areas for consumerism programmes along with other states.

Labuan Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Office has conducted a study for the island’s potentiality to be part of the Domesitc Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry’s long-term plan for consumerism development programmes.

Several shops on the island, including a strategically-located family restaurant called “MoonStar, Restaurant, Grill and Barbecue” has been identified for the ministry’s transformation programme.

Its director Nursafariza Ihsan said three sundry shops in three villages – Kampung Layang-Layangan, Kampung Pohon Batu and Rancha-Rancha – would take part in the “Tukar” programme.

The Tukar programme, created under the National Key Economic Area, is the the government’s initiative to transform sundry shops into modern outlets.

While MoonStar Restaurant, Grill and Barbecue will promote “Menu Rakyat 1Malaysia (1Malaysia People’s Dishes), the ministry is promoting another programme to sell cheap food and drinks – breakfast and lunch – for as low as RM2.50 for breakfast and RM5 for lunch.

Nursafariza said efforts are in the pipeline to ease consumers’ burden from the rising living cost.

“Our ministry has listed 13 eateries, with the latest being the MoonStar Restaurant, Grill and Barbecue to be promoted in the ministry’s portal.

“We’re targeting some 3,000 outlets taking part in the programme countrywide.

In Labuan, we only expected 10 outlets, but now we have more than that,” she said.

She said the Smart Consumers 1Malaysia Portal provides the participating Menu Rakyat 1Malaysia outlets.

“The programme will not only help consumers but also local retailers involved in the retail industry. The Tukar programme and Menu 1Malaysia promotion are the programmes that would greatly help to educate consumers and traders.

“They need to help each other without compromising the quality of products and offer reasonable prices,” she said.

Nur Azmin, manager of MoonStar Restaurant, Grill and Barbecue said the outlet would help the government promote the programme.

“We’ll keep the price low so long we can cover the cost.” he added.

To realise the Tukar programme objectives, Bank Rakyat will be offering RM20,000 to RM60,000 credit facility to sundry shop operators.

Labuan branch manager Abu Talib Harun said Bank Rakyat was committed to support the ministry’s mission to strengthen the co-operative sector as the nation’s economic growth thrust.

“We’re expanding our products and customer facilities to provide greater diversity to our customers. The Tukar programme will certainly help local retailers to move forward,” he said.

Under the Tukar programme, sundry shops will be spruced up with a new coat of paint, lay new tiles, re-arrange stocks and install computerised and management systems. – Bernama