YOURSAY 'I really don't care whether it is 1Malaysia shop, 1BN shop or 1Pakatan Rakyat shop, I just want value for my money.'

Mydin hits back over Kedai Rakyat claims

your say Bender: Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said we should be fair to the Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M) brand and that the comparison of prices should be made between apple and apple.

Now after PJ Utara MP Tony Pua has compared oyster sauce and oyster sauce, still they say it's not fair.

I guess Tony was right, there's no oyster in the 1Malaysia brand of the so-called oyster sauce (otherwise it would have been a fair comparison, right?).

How then are we suppose to make the comparison? Perhaps the 1Malaysia oyster sauce and a bottle of budu (fermented anchovy sauce) would be a much better pair for comparison.

Lim Chong Leong: What are the items that are competitive and comparable with other stores? Please name them.

And which are the ones that are 30% to 50% below market prices? Don't just make silly "go to school" comments.

We know this is just another marketing strategy for a crony using government machinery and our money instead of its own advertising costs like mega-stores need to do.

Tkc: Anyone who has some experience in running a grocery shop will tell you that the profit margin is paper thin.

For example, if you break two eggs in a tray of 30, you lose money. For KR1M to claim that its products are 30% to 40% cheaper, it is either:

1) using the subsidy from the government, or

2) provide inferior products (you can source them from China if you know where to look).

If it is via government subsidy, the question is how long can KR1M sustain its business model?

My guess is the subsidy will last long enough until the next general election. Thereafter, it is back to market prices, folks.

Mahindar Singh: Why is the government involved in such useless projects? Is it really cheap, once you consider capital expenditure and all other direct, indirect and overhead costs?

Such kind of shops are more efficiently run by the Carrefour, Tesco, Giant and, of course, Mydin. The government is getting involved in areas that will not be efficient and there is no economies of scale.

The government should focus on creating jobs, preventing illegal immigrants from becoming citizens of the country, wiping out corruption, crime and boosting our education standards.

Rchard: I think all of you who are commenting have neither visited a 1Malaysia shop nor have bought a single item from KR1M and just want to comment because of the word ‘1Malaysia'.

What is wrong with the products there? It is cheap and I have personally tried them.

If there is something good the rakyat can get from the 1Malaysia shop, that's fine. Why are we commenting just because it is 1Malaysia shop? The products are cheap and the quality is acceptable.

I really don't care whether it is 1Malaysia shop, 1BN shop or 1Pakatan Rakyat shop, I just want value for my money.

MW: I have read the slides . Since Mydin admit they cannot compete with hypermarket house labels despite the subsidies they get, why have this project in the first place? Consumers already have a budget choice - the hypermarket house labels.

Here is the problem: Hypermarkets don't get subsidy to provide house labels at the price they are providing, those prices are actually profitable. Mydin get subsidy and sell at prices higher than hypermarket house labels, so it is not just profitable, it is very profitable.

Yeap Cheng Liang: Mydin, if you care to read Trade Marks Regulation 1997, Reg 14(b), and I quote here:

"The following devices shall not appear on a trade mark the registration of which is applied for (b) representations of, or mottos of or words referring to, the royal or imperial crowns, or of the royal, imperial or national flags; Any representation referring to national flags is not allowed under this regulation."

So fact is the 1Malaysia trade mark is against the law.

Dood: I am now awaiting the managing director of Carrefour to hold a press conference to refute the claims of Mydin that Carrefour house brand products (including the ‘Big Saver' range) are of inferior quality when compared to the 1Malaysia brand.

Or is Carrefour, an international hypermarket chain, willing to admit that its house brand products are more expensive or of lower quality than... (gasp) Mydin?

Busul: I implore Malaysians to use their common sense. We are a hard working and diligent community. But we continue to let parasites feed on us.

Go out there and support your neighbourhood grocer and ‘kedai runcit'. These people are just like you and me.

They just want to put an honest day's work to earn enough to support their families. Appreciate them. Be thankful. Don't be conned by this KR1M rubbish.

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