Rural co-operatives to get RM150,000 each to set up KR1M 2.0 store
BINTULU: The Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism will provide RM150,000-grant to each registered co-operatives in the state’s interior to set up the Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M 2.0).
Its minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said this new model of KR1M 2.0 is different from the old one because this mini convenience store belongs to the people through the co-operatives and not by an individual.
Responding to Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong’s concern over the closure of KR1M in Kapit, Hamzah said this new model would ensure the supply of essential goods would not be interrupted.
“If co-operatives are willing to do it, we will assist. We will supply cooking oil, rice, sugar, flour, LPG and maybe 50 other essential items such as milk, diapers to them,” said Hamzah when officiating at the launch of ‘Friends of KPDNKK’ (FOK) at the state-level consumer and entrepreneurial roadshow programme at Uma Balui Ukap, Sungai Asap in Belaga last Friday.
For Sg Asap, he announced a RM150,0000-grant for a co-operative in the area to set up a mini store, and asked Uggak to discuss with the villagers which cooperative would get the grant first.
FOK members statewide, he added, would help the ministry in making sure the supplies of essential goods from the transporters would arrive at those cooperatives, and any wrongdoing must be informed immediately to the Ministry.
Earlier, Uggak also asked the minister to consider setting up a mini petrol station in Sg Asap to be run by Koperasi Apo Koyan in Kampung Balui Ukap.
Hamzah said he might but the cooperative to get a piece of land and a licence for the purpose.
“I will give approval once all the requirements have been met.
“Apply now and hand it over to Uggak, who will then table it in Parliament.
“I will then approve the mini petrol station for the co-operative. We will ask Petronas to assist,” he added.
During the event, Hamzah announced his personal donation of RM100,000 to FOK committee of Sg Asap, while his deputy Dato Henry Sum Agong gave a personal donation of RM10,000.
To a question from Maren Uma (headman) Edmond Lating, he told him to give his letter to him (Hamzah) so that he could personally forward it to the prime minister for approval.
With over 16,000 Orang Ulus in Sg Asap, he believed that with unity under the BN leadership, the government could bring more development to them and others in the interior.
“We must be united as one under BN for a greater future,” he said.
Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon, MDTCC (Consumerism and Management) deputy secretary general Datuk Razali Othman, its state director Dato Stanley Tan, heads of various departments and agencies, and other community leaders were also present at the event.