KLANG, Jan 14 — The Selangor government is formulating comprehensive strategies to strengthen food security by making cooperatives a main player in the food supply chain, said state executive councillor for consumer affairs and cooperatives Datuk Rizam Ismail.
He said initiatives being planned include the development of a Cooperatives Revenue Collection Centre, the empowerment of mosque cooperatives, an enhanced Jualan Rumpun Selangor (JRS) programme, and the establishment of a Cooperatives Jetty in the next three years.
“Cooperatives’ involvement will be expanded to the food production, agro-based industry, fisheries, plantations, and wholesale and retail sectors.
“We see that most cooperatives members, from an agriculture aspect … their main issue is the market that is heavily monopolised by middlemen,” he told a press conference after officiating the Gerakan Koperasi Rumpun Selangor appreciation ceremony at Wyndham Acmar Hotel here last night.
Rizam also said JRS will continue to offer basic and daily essentials with discounts of up to 30 per cent to cooperatives members and local communities, as a measure to address rising living costs.
“We’re not looking to compete with Jualan Ehsan Rahmah, because through a collaboration with the Selangor (branch of the) Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN), JRS aims to lighten the burden of the cooperatives community.
“Besides a basic discount of 30 per cent, we also offer ‘happy hour’ sales that allow consumers to enjoy discounts of up to 40 per cent,” Rizam said.
