1Malaysia shop.Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak checking out the price of a bag of rice at the launch of the Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia at the Kelana Jaya LRT station in Petaling Jaya yesterday. With him are managing director of Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd, Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin (left), Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (third from left) and Malaysian ambassador to the United States, Datuk Seri Jamaludin Jarjis (right). Najib: Example of smart govt-private partnership at its best PETALING JAYA: The first Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia thrift store opened yesterday with prices of goods 30 to 50 per cent lower than the market price of similar products to help urban families reduce their monthly grocery bills. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who opened the store at the Kelana Jaya LRT station, said it was in line with his 1Malaysia concept to unite the people and help lessen the people’s burden. Operated by Mydin Mohamed Holdings Berhad, the thrift store sells some 1,000 items, 250 of which carry the 1Malaysia brand. The items include rice, milk, noodles, beverages, diapers, tea, crackers, butter and bread. Najib, in his speech, said Kedai Rakyat was similar to the “Restoran Rakyat” his late father, the country’s second prime minister Tun Razak Hussein, had introduced during the recession in the 1970s. “It was to help families cut down on their expenses. "Similarly, Kedai Rakyat aims to do the same.” He said the thrift store was a smart government-private partnership between Prasarana Negara Berhad, the light rail service provider and Mydin. “Mydin has its own network of small-medium enterprises, they also provide packaging at minimal prices and no added frills, resulting in lower and affordable prices,” he said. More Kedai Rakyat are expected to be opened soon as more suitable places are identified. Items at Kedai Rakyat are markedly cheaper than those in supermarkets and hypermarkets. For example, a packet of 10kg rice sells at RM18.99 (a popular brand is priced between RM25 and RM34), a can of condensed milk is at RM1.95 (RM2.20), and a one-litre bottle of cordial drink is priced at RM2.99 (between RM7 and RM9). Najib said the smart partnership was an innovative idea which would also help small medium enterprises to have more businesses. “The 1Malaysia concept is not just rhetoric. It is far from that. This thr ift store will help to lessen people’s burden. “This is my aim. Today we see the result of it,” he said, adding that the 1Malaysia brand products could also be used to distribute to the needy in the rural areas and victims of natural disasters, such as floods and landslides. Mydin managing director Datuk Ameer Ali said they were looking at opening more shops in Setiawanga and Wangsa Maju. The Kedai Rakyat, he said, would operate on Mydin’s books as a corporate social responsibility prog ramme. “The products are purchased from about 30 SMEs who are already in our supply chain. “So, the extra volume will help bring down the cost for all parties,” he added. http://www.smecorp.gov.my/ms/node/2175