Fama seeks win-win solution to Jualan Harapan Rakyat drama

The Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama) is seeking an amicable solution to the drama surrounding the Jualan Harapan Rakyat initiative by several groups including the Muslim Consumers' Association (PPIM) and the Malay Chambers of Commerce (DPMM).

This followed allegations by the group on Saturday that Fama had refused to cooperate and give them space at Fama's MyFarm outlet in Putrajaya, and forcing them to do a car boot sale in the rain.

At a meeting at their office in Selayang yesterday, directors from Fama informed Malaysiakini that there was a communication breakdown between the two sides, compounded by the Jualan Harapan Rakyat group not following procedures.

Among others, Fama's pasar tani (farmers' market) division director Rosilawati Abu Hassan said the Jualan Harapan Rakyat group had started promoting their sale before Fama could get back to them.

"We received their flyers last Tuesday, and only on the same day did they make a request to do the programme," Rosilawati added

To compound matters, the request was made when many top officers in Fama were on Hari Raya Aidilfitri leave leading to a series of communication breakdowns.

Fama deputy director-general (development) Mansor Omar explained further that while the authority welcomed such programmes to offer cheap fresh produce and groceries to the people, there were procedures that need to be followed.

"This programme is good for the people and good for entrepreneurs, but we have to discuss things first," Mansor said.

Elaborating on this, he said that the Jualan Harapan Rakyat group need to discuss their plans on what they want to sell at Fama's farmers' markets or MyFarm outlets, with the traders who are already doing business there.

This, he said, was to ensure that small-scale traders are prepared to lower their prices to match the discounted prices being offered by Jualan Harapan Rakyat.

This is so that all sellers at the farmer's market get a fair share of the economic pie, and that small-scale traders don't suffer from wasted stock if they are unable to lower prices.

"The price of chicken that they're offering, at RM5.99, that is really cheap, so we have to make sure that other poultry entrepreneurs can offer the same or slightly lower prices too," Mansor said.

Fama Federal Territories director Mohd Radzuan Md Nor added that many of the small-scale traders that operate at Fama markets had to resort to a slightly higher profit margin - RM1 per chicken for example - compared to retailers.

This is because the small traders buy their stock at higher prices as they can't buy in huge volumes like businesses such as Nurani Resources - one of the companies partnering with Jualan Harapan Rakyat.

Moving forward, Mansor said Fama has already met with the Jualan Harapan Rakyat group, and that further discussions between them and traders at Fama markets will be held soon to discuss future Jualan Harapan Rakyat programmes throughout the country.

"We want to find a win-win solution for everyone," he said.

Also present at the meeting with Malaysiakini yesterday were Fama acting deputy director-general (entrepreneur development) Sani Mat Hasan, and Fama corporate communications director Asmizal Jaafar.

The Jualan Harapan Rakyat programme was first held on June 10.

The first programme created controversy after the organisers used the logos of Pakatan Harapan, the Agriculture and Agro-based Ministry, and Fama, without permission. 

The logos of the ministry and Fama had since been dropped from promotional material, and a different font has been used for the word Harapan instead of the one used by the ruling coalition. - Mkini