Reintroduce workable initiatives

‘Inkubator Usahawan’ premises in Taman Bukit Dahlia, Pasir Gudang. This idea should be revisited to foster innovation and economic diversification.

Lower-priced essential goods scheme, startup programmes benefit the poor

IN the past few weeks, both the Federal and Johor governments have talked about eradicating poverty or reducing the number of people living in hardship.

In my view, some of the previously introduced policies and initiatives should be revived and strengthened.

Personally, the Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M) initiative was a life saver.

Back in 2013, I had to live on a monthly allowance of RM300 while doing my internship and KR1M was my go-to place for groceries.

It had everything I needed – rice, canned food, beverages, mineral water, instant noodles, dried seafood and bread.

This, combined with fresh vegetables from the sundry store, made living in Ampang, Selangor, bearable.

I remember looking forward to going home after work and taking a stroll along shops selling cheap and affordable daily necessities, just so I could treat myself to an RM5 tub of 1Malaysia ice cream.

I was not alone as I saw many families queueing up at the end of the month to buy groceries from KR1M.

The situation is similar here in Johor, at Koperasi Iskandar Malaysia Bhd (imCoop) which opened in 2015 in Taman Kota Masai, Pasir Gudang.

During interviews with shoppers, they expressed joy at being able to buy chicken at RM6 per kg, as well as eggs, flour, sugar, coffee and tea, without making a big dent in their wallet.

A single mother shared, in between tears, that she only earned RM1,000 a month and was raising her three children on her own. She was grateful to imCoop for alleviating her burden.

KR1M and imCoop were introduced to make daily necessities more affordable.

With the cost of living rising, these initiatives can once again provide much-needed relief to low- and middle-income families.

By offering essential goods at lower prices, KR1M and imCoop can assist by reducing financial stress and improving the quality of life for many people.

Reintroducing KR1M and imCoop can also foster healthy competition in the retail sector, drive down prices and encourage innovation among local businesses.

Today, although the government has unveiled good initiatives such as Jualan Rahmah and Bazar Rakyat Agro Johor, I believe they can be improved on.

Instead of organising weekly or monthly discounted sales on daily necessities, why not organise long-term initiatives such as KR1M and imCoop?

Feel free to change the name or rebrand them as the government sees fit, but make it happen.

Do this for the people, especially the hardcore poor.

One way to escape poverty is through entrepreneurship.

The state government previously introduced an initiative called Inkubator Usahawan or startup incubator.

The idea was for the government to provide a place for micro-entrepreneurs to set up shop with a RM300 monthly rental.

Once financially stable, the entrepreneurs were required to give way for others to rent the incubator. This startup plan does not exist anymore.

The plan was good but there’s room for improvement.

There are quite a number of unused government premises and facilities that can be turned into incubators.

These range from abandoned food stalls to shops and buildings which the previous government spent public funds to develop.

It makes sense to refurbish these places, introduce affordable rent and open them up to people in need.

It is better than leaving them empty and collecting dust.

By converting these unused spaces into business hubs, the government can attract a diverse range of startups, thus fostering innovation and economic diversification.

Such diversification is crucial for creating a resilient economy capable of withstanding market fluctuations.

Furthermore, new businesses and startups are significant job creators.

Providing resources and support to fledgling companies can stimulate job growth and reduce unemployment rates in Johor.

Repurposing abandoned buildings can also revitalise urban areas. These structures are often seen as eyesores that contribute to urban decay.

Transforming them into business incubators can breathe new life into premises, increase property value and improve community morale.

Startup incubators offer critical support services such as mentorship, funding opportunities and networking events.

This support can significantly increase the success rate of local startups, driving long-term economic growth.

By fostering a supportive environment for entrepreneurs, the Johor government can ensure a more resilient and prosperous future for its citizens.

Providing affordable daily necessities and fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem can address immediate financial concerns while laying the groundwork for sustained economic development.

Such measures, I feel, will help position Johor as a beacon of innovation and economic resilience in Malaysia.