Let them eat ais krim

The first 1Malaysia sundry shop in Kelana Jaya LRT station has attracted shoppers from as far as Putrajaya. Did they take to the products wrapped in 1Malaysia packaging like ducks to water?

Shoppers generally picked the 10kg bag of 1Malaysia local rice as being the best bargain in the shop, which they said are RM2 to RM5 cheaper than normal retail prices.

Shopper Roslawati Ibrahim also noted that the 2kg tin of 1Malaysia powdered chocolate drink priced at RM19, a sharp difference from the same product of Milo brand, at RM30 elsewhere.

“But I am unsure about the quality of the product, so I’m buying it to taste it and see,” said the lab assistant (right).

The nation’s first 1Malaysia sundry shop was launched by Prime Minister Najib Razak last Wednesday to ease the burden of the common people amid soaring inflation and the controversy over the government’s decision to reduce the subsidy on staple goods such as sugar and fuel.

The shop, officially branded as “Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia”, retails 250 grocery items under the same name which cost 30 percent to 40 percent cheaper than the same or equivalent goods at market prices.

However, Mutayah Narayanan, who travelled from Padang Jawa to the store, said he was disappointed that the price of sugar is the same as elsewhere.

“I thought sugar here would be cheaper, but it seems to be the same,” he said.

The security guard also bemoaned that price of sugar, an essential ingredient in his kitchen, has risen from RM1.40 to RM2.30 per kg in two years.

Ratna Yati, on the other hand, lauded 1Malaysia store for offering a variety of good bargains.

She said items such rice, frozen food, tissue paper, mineral water and baby diapers are much cheaper.

“A 1.5-litre tub of ice cream is only RM3. Can you believe it?” she exclaimed.

Meanwhile, a sales assistant at the shop said rice and the chocolate drink are the two best-selling items.

Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia is run by Mydin Mohamed Holdings Berhad and operates from 7am to 11pm daily.

The government is mulling on opening more outlets in strategic locations around the country.