S’wak to have 23 more Tukar shops

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MADE IN MALAYSIA: Abang Johari (second right) showing a 1Malaysia product available at the Tukar shop. Also seen are Rohani and Wan Uzir.

KUCHING: The Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK) aims to transform another 23 sundry shops in the state into Tukar shops under the Transformasi Kedai Runcit (Tukar) programme.

Currently, Sarawak has 25 Tukar shops, where 15 are run by local cooperatives and the remaining 10 under the purview of the Malaysian Cooperative Commission (SKM).

Those under SKM are in Kuching (two), Serian (three) and one each in Tebedu, Padawan, Kota Sentosa, Sibu and Miri.

“With more Tukar shops in the pipeline, I believe that someday Tukar shop will become a household name as provider of reasonably-priced goods,” said Minister of Tourism Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg when launching the first Tukar shop in Petra Jaya parliamentary constituency at Kampung Lintang yesterday.

Abang Johari added that three Tukar outlets would be launched in Limbang this year whereas Sri Aman, Belawai, Daro, Bintulu and Debak would have one each.

Abang Johari said Kedai Runcit Rina which was turned into a Tukar shop yesterday would also benefit residents of neighbouring villages.

“The shop is also part of the beautification process of the area,” said Abang Johari, who is also Satok assemblyman and Minister of Housing.

Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim, who was also present, said shops that were roped into the programme had recorded 20 to 30 per cent increase in sales.

Rohani, who is also Batang Lupar MP, said the Tukar programme was projected to contribute RM5.56 billion to the nation’s gross domestic income (GDI) and provide 51,540 job opportunities nationwide.

To participate in the Tukar programme, Rohani said certain criteria must be met, and one of them is the use of a “Point of Sale” system.

She added that Bank Rakyat was providing loans of up to RM80,000 to those who wanted to be a part of the Tukar programme.

Also present at the launch was Petra Jaya MP Datuk Fadillah Yusoff and KPDNKK state director Wan Ahmad Uzir Wan Sulaiman.