Bintulu to have 3 KR1M outlets — Ministry officer

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BINTULU: There is a possibility that Bintulu Division will soon have 1Malaysia People’s shops (KR1M) in Kidurong, Tatau and Sebauh sub-district.

An officer from the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Bintulu branch Megawathy Salleh said three companies had shown interest to set up KR1M in the division but so far they were yet to give further feedback.

“Mydin (group) will come to Bintulu to see the strategic locations, but one and two door stores are encouraged to participate in KR1M,” she said.

She said among the conditions to qualify as a KR1M operator, a company must be registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia, Cooperatives Commission of Malaysia and Malaysian owned.

“Other conditions include capital of RM456,000 for an area of 1,500 square feet and RM650,000 for a premises of 3,500 square feet in the form of bank guaranteee,” she said when giving a talk on the ‘Role of Government Agencies and Statutory Bodies’ at Kemena Hotel here recently.

She said at the present, 27 KR1M premises had been established throughout the country, with two in Kuching.

On KR1M, she said it was inspired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razal based on the mini-mart concept, where basic items would be sold at low prices to ease the burden of the low-income group in urban areas but would be soon extended to rural areas.

“There are 250 types of goods sold at KR1M and the brand has been patented and cannot be replicated by other stores.

“Most of the products are made in Malaysia and produced by a Bumiputera company (Mydin) with the ultimate goal of competing with foreign brands,” she said, adding that products at KR1M were sold 20 to 30 per cent cheaper than other shops.