Boosting non-Malays sundy shop operators participation in Tukar

IPOH: Government hopes to increase the participation of non-Malay sundry shop operators under the Small Retailers Transformation Programme (Tukar) by relaxing its rules.

MCA Young Professionals Bureau chief Datuk Chua Tee Yong said since the start of Tukar in January 2011, only 1,020 sundry shop operators nationwide had opted for Tukar of with majority of them being Malay operators.

Among the reasons application of non-Malays were re jected are due to sales of non-halal products and ar rangements of items in their shops.

"This lead to several grouses among the operators and MCA through Koperasi Jayadiri Malaysia Berhad and Fed eration of Sundry Goods Merchants Associations of Malaysia are stepping in to assist them," he said here yesterday.

Speaking to reporters after opening a mini market here, which participated in the programme, Chua said the targeted sundry shops to be upgraded by this month end are 33.
   "So far 26 sundry shops had been upgraded," he added.

Urging non-Malay sundry shop operators to come forward and take part in the programme, Chua said it would ensure their survival.

"Those who opted for Tukar had recorded 20 to 30 per cent increase in their sale and more younger generation are becoming their clientele," he said.

Chua noted that by transforming, the operators are not helping themselves but also the community.
"Once transformed and they become a mini market, they will serve a bigger neighbourhood," he said.

On the procedures, Chua said the operators could apply through Koperasi Jayadiri Malaysia Berhad (Kojadi).

"Kojadi will vet the applications," .

There are over 20,000 Chinese sundry shop operators in the country.

It was reported that the government had allocated RM4 million to fund 33 Small Retailer Transformation Programme (Tukar) and 16 Automotive Workshop Modernisation Pro gramme (Atom) specifically to increase the involvement of Chinese businessmen.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the allocation was channeled through Koperasi Jayadiri Malaysia Berhad (Ko jadi) and it is aimed at ensuring that there is equality in the country's socio-economic development regardless of the race or religion under the 1Malaysia concept.