The ministry will expand its KUSKOP MADANI Sales programme to more states following an overwhelming response and positive impact on consumers and small businesses.
NIBONG TEBAL: The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) will expand its KUSKOP MADANI Sales (JMK) programme to more states following an overwhelming response and positive impact on consumers, small business owners, and local cooperatives
Its Minister, Steven Sim Chee Keong, said the initiative, funded through KUSKOP’s internal allocations, has already been rolled out in Penang, Johor, and Melaka, with plans for further nationwide expansion depending on financial capacity.
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“We are indeed planning to expand the JMK programme. Since this uses KUSKOP’s internal budget and we organise other programmes, we have to manage our resources carefully. Not only in Penang, but we have also successfully held them recently in Johor and Melaka.
“If the budget permits, we will definitely bring these programmes to other locations nationwide as it is not meant exclusively for Penang,” he told reporters here today.
Sim said this after officiating the Jawi state constituency-level JMK programme at Taman Bukit Panchor here today. Also present was Penang Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee Chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye, who is the Jawi assemblyman.
Sim, who is also the Bukit Mertajam MP, said the JMK programme complements the existing Jualan Rahmah initiative by bringing cooperatives on board to support government efforts to ease the cost of living for the people through discounted daily essentials.
He said the event in Jawi offered over 80 types of essential items, including dry food, meat, fish, seafood, and household necessities, with discounts of up to 30%.
“The benefits of this programme are not limited to consumers enjoying savings, but it also stimulates economic activities for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), cooperatives, and local traders who are given the platform to market their products,” he said.
He added that while consumers save up to 30%, small traders, hawkers, and cooperatives can generate income, thereby driving the local economy.
“What I want to see is an impact not only on consumers but also on traders. We bring merchants here so they can do business, and we also bring food and beverage hawkers so they can generate income at JMK,” he said.
He said the JMK programme also serves as a one-stop centre, with participation from 12 state and federal government agencies, making it easier for the public to access various services under one roof. Among the services provided are Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) claims, unclaimed money checks, entrepreneur financing services, and various other government agency transactions.
The JMK event in Jawi marks the fifth edition held in Penang and is expected to benefit around 2,000 residents.
