'Najib placing Mydin's profits above rakyat's welfare'

DAP has slammed the prime minister for ridiculing problems with the Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M) and for being more concerned with the profits of a private company than the public’s welfare.

“Najib’s boast that Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia stores made more sales after criticism by the opposition proves that he is more concerned with Mydin’s profits than with the quality of 1Malaysia goods sold to ordinary Malaysians,” said DAP national publicity secretary Tony Pua.

Noting with “amusement and consternation” Najib’s glib attitude, Pua in a statement today said, “It is hence clear that the Prime Minister is not the least bothered about the health and welfare of ordinary Malaysians, not even that of his own constituents.”

Bernama yesterdayreported the PM telling his Pekan constituents, “The ridicule and criticism hurled by the opposition at the 1Malaysia Shops (KR1M) has helped to raise sales at the outlets.”

Pua, who is also Petaling Jaya Utara MP, pointed out that the criticisms against certain KR1M products were valid.

The Health Ministry had admitted problems with certain products and Minister Liow Tong Lai himself had acknowledged that harmful bacteria was found in the 1Malaysia Milk, he added.

“It is hence clear that the Prime Minister is not the least bothered about the health and welfare of ordinary Malaysians, not even that of his own constituents,” said Pua.

‘Why the inaction, Najib?’

Pua said KR1M’s sales was not a factor in making the various exposes against the store’s problematic goods.

“The criticisms are made on the issue of whether the government’s subsidies are being used to profit particular businessmen, whether consumers are being fleeced or their health compromised, he said.

He questioned the PM’s silence in the face of the issues raised against the chain store, run by private company Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd with the support of the government.

“Despite all of the (issues that have been raised), Najib Razak has chosen not only to waive any punitive actions against KR1M for breaking so many laws, but instead decided cosy up to KR1M and its private owners.  

“He did not even attempt to admonish KR1M owners for the above transgressions,” said Pua (left).

“There can be no other conclusion from the above but to say that the prime minister isn’t interested in whether it is the rakyat or the businessman who is profiting from the RM40 million subsidy; that he doesn’t care if KR1M sold products which were unhealthy or of inferior quality; and that Najib Razak is only interested in KR1M making lots of sales and profits for its private shareholders.”

KR1M is Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's brainchild, aimed at addressing criticisms of rising costs by working with private company Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd to provide cheaper consumer goods at specific outlets.

However opposition politicians have been hot on the store's tail to attempt to show that cheap has allegedly come at the expense of quality.