First 1Malaysia store in Sabah opens in Inanam

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KOTA KINABALU: Sabah now has its own Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M), a concept store dedicated to selling local products under the 1Malaysia brand.

The firts outlet was officially launched at Jalan Lembaga Padi, Inanam yesterday, offering consumers from the surrounding areas various daily items at much lower prices compared to regular supermarket.

Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob who officiated at the event, said the Ministry was planing to open six more KR1M in Sabah within this year.

He said this will include another one premise in Kota Kinabalu and one each in Keningau, Lahad Datu, Tuaran, Sandakan and Semporna.

“We have shortlisted six applications from Sabahg and five of them has signed the Aku Janji letter and agreed to operate KR1M,” he said, adding that the government was currently assessing the suitability of the premises proposed by the operators.

The KR1M Inanam, which has started operation end last month, was the 45th of such store opened in the country.

Currently offering 265 different products, the store has recorded a daily sales of RM24,000, the highest among all KR1M in Malaysia.

Sabri said the outlet would serve as a sales and distribution hub for interested business operators in Sabah, apart from selling 1Malaysia products directly to consumers.

“Apart from KR1M, we also encourage other operators, sundry shops, supermarkets and hypermarkets to sell 1Malaysia products so that consumer can have better access to this products, which are 30 to 50 per cent cheaper compared to that with other brands,” he said to reporters.

Earlier in his speech, Sabri said 38 more KR1Ms will be opened across the country within this year, in addition to 47 already in operation so far.

Apart from KR1M shops, he said 477 other premises including stores at fuel stations, D’mart Felda, Agro Bazaar Fama, Pernama and others were now selling 1Malaysia products.

On related development, he said the government would not compromise on the quality and safety of the 1Malaysia products and Mydin as the official KR1M operator has been directed to ensure every products has the approval from the Ministry of Health.

As such, he said the public need not to worry or listen to the unfounded claims from certain quarters in regards to the quality and safety of 1Malaysia items.

He added the authority has not received any complaints of inferior quality of the products from the public so far.

He stressed the introduction of KR1M concept store has not only help ease the financial burden of the public by offering essential daily goods at lower prices but also provide opportunity for the local small holders and entrepreneurs to market their products.