Sunday, December 9, 2012

蔡智勇:4非穆斯林接幽會傳票‧抨行動黨充耳不聞

Created 12/09/2012 - 09:55

Tee Yong: Only 96 accredited organic farms in Malaysia

KUANG: About two-thirds of vegetable and fruit farmers who applied to be certified organic farmers failed to meet the criteria set, said Agriculture and Agro-based Industry deputy minister Datuk Chua Tee Yong on Saturday.

The MCA lawmaker said only 96 out of 295 farms had been accredited under Malaysia's Organic Scheme (SOM) since 2002.

He said many farmers were unable to meet requirements due to the stringent application processes set by the ministry.

“Organic planting is a very tedious process, it requires a lot of skills, knowledge and investment.

“No chemicals are allowed for pest control, there are higher costs compared with conventionally-grown items... In addition, before you even qualify for application, you must not have used chemicals for one year. It is not easy for many farmers,” he said after launching the Zenxin Organic farm open day in conjunction with its 10th anniversary celebrations here.

Chua said the consumption of organic food products amongst local consumers was a rising trend, especially for those in the urban areas due to their higher income.

He suggested farmers who were interested in organic farming joined Skim Amalan Ladang Baik (SALM), an agriculture practices scheme certified by the ministry.

Chua added that there were a total of 513 farms certified under SALM nationwide.

Friday, December 7, 2012

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.


蔡智勇:環境清潔吸引顧客‧雜貨店轉型‧營業額增30%


(霹靂‧怡保6日訊)馬華青年專才局主任拿督蔡智勇說,華裔傳統雜貨店通過“雜貨店轉型計劃"(TUKAR)成功轉型和營業後,營業額提昇了20至30%,為這項計劃注入一支強心針。
 
他今日為馬來西亞雜貨商聯合會全國首間成功轉型的會員雜貨店――怡保孟加蘭勝昌便利店主持開幕時說,勝昌便利店就是一個例子,該店2個月前完成轉型,今天店主張傑財宣佈該店營業額提昇了20至30%。“此外,轉型後的雜貨店環境清潔明亮,成功吸引鄰近顧客及年輕人回流購物。"他指出,目前全國有1千200間雜貨店申請轉型,其中馬來人業者佔72%,非馬來人及沙巴和砂拉越業者佔28%。
“申請轉型的華裔雜貨店業者有33間,其中26間已成功轉型,希望其餘雜貨店可赶得及在12月31日前完成轉型。"
 
出席者包括馬來西亞雜貨商聯合會主席連興泉、自立合作社主席拿督黃炳火、霹靂州貿消局局長莫哈末希爾米、霹靂州大馬合作社委員會主席賽夫、馬華霹靂州聯委會秘書拿督陳進明和副秘書拿督李官仁、華團咨詢局主任拿督易沛鴻、馬華怡保東區區會主席拿督湯華昌及雜貨店轉型計劃七人小組主任方志民。
 
黃炳火:申請轉型
華裔雜貨商不受限制
 
黃炳火指出,通過自立合作社與馬來西亞雜貨商聯合會合作推動的“雜貨店轉型計劃",申請轉型的華裔雜貨商將不受任何限制。
 
他說,華裔雜貨商無須遵守“不可售賣超過5%非清真食品"的限制,也無須向指定的批發商入貨;業者也享有更實際的貸款用途,如從最高8萬令吉的貸款額中,3萬令吉供購買新貨品,其餘5萬令吉供店面裝修及提昇設備。
 
他指出,自立合作社也為“修車廠現代化計劃"發出貸款,目前該社已為21間合格的雜貨店、6間修車廠及3間摩哆店提供240萬令吉的貸款。
 
連興泉表示,傳統雜貨店受到霸市的衝擊,其實雜貨店比霸市占優勢的是營業成本較低,因此只要把傳統營運方式改革轉型,即可與時並進繼續生存。
 
“參與雜貨店轉型計劃者,可獲低息(3%)貸款和免費專才諮詢服務,包括裝潢諮詢及排貨咨詢等。"
 
他希望馬來西亞雜貨商聯合會會員踴躍參與這項轉型計劃,並將相關資料,包括名字、雜貨店地址及電話等交給該會;若非會員,也可直接向貿消部提出申請,以便在此計劃中受惠。
 
(星洲日報)