MRT Retail Sdn. Bhd.
TypePublic
IndustryConvenience stores
Founded2011 (2011)
DefunctJuly 2017 (2017-07)
FateDissolved
ProductsGrocery stores
OwnerGovernment of Malaysia
Websitewww.kedairakyat1malaysia.com.my

MRT Retail Sdn. Bhd., doing business as Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M) (unofficial English title: 1Malaysia Grocery Stores) is a government-owned chain of convenience stores in Malaysia. It was established as part of the national campaign of 1Malaysia. Due to declining turnout rates and support from the public, it has closed all locations in 2017.

History

In 2011, the 1Malaysia franchise branched off into a grocery store franchise going by the name Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M), with the first store being located at the Kelana Jaya Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) station in Kelana Jaya. The franchise was aimed at allowing the low income group to obtain cheaper groceries, potentially bringing support to 1Malaysia.

In July 2017, the chain began closing down it's stores as the government had terminated the contract with MYDIN, the operator of the 1Malaysia stores, due to alleged goods within the stores were priced higher than the market value.[1]

Public responses to KR1M

There were claims that the groceries sold within the stores were more expensive compared to those sold in other stores like it around Malaysia.[2][3] This was denied by the former Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ismail Sabri.[4] There have been also allegations of poor product quality in its products, namely children's milk powder, fresh milk, condensed milk, sweetened condensed creamer, oyster sauce, fruit jam, canned chicken curry, mango cordial, ghee compounds, peanuts, peanut butter, crispy peanut butter and fish tinned sardines in tomato sauce.[5][6][7] In response, the franchise had its products sent out for a periodical laboratory testing.[8]

References

  1. ↑ admin (21 September 2017). "Inilah Punca Sebenar Kenapa Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M) DITUTUP!". OH! INFOKINI. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  2. ↑ "With higher prices in Sabah KR1M, MP asks what happened to subsidies?". The Malay Mail. 20 January 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  3. ↑ "Is the Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia More Expensive Than Tesco?". Coconuts KL. 17 February 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  4. ↑ Eve Sonary Heng (11 July 2012). "Claims of expensive products at KR1M untrue — Ismail Sabri". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  5. ↑ Letters from readers (21 November 2011). "Baffling silence on tainted KR1M products". Free Malaysia Today. Archived from the original on 23 January 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  6. ↑ Letters from readers (11 November 2011). "Poor quality products in 1M'sia shops". Free Malaysia Today. Archived from the original on 16 January 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  7. ↑ Letters from readers (4 December 2011). "All KR1M products to undergo lab tests". Free Malaysia Today. Archived from the original on 6 January 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  8. ↑ "Suppliers ordered to send KR1M products for lab tests". Thestar.com.my. Archived from the original on 6 December 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
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