Kira, he said, was an example of how the party wanted to show it could run a sustainable business.

“We are developing several models based on Islamic finance, using the concept of ‘muzakarah’. It will certainly need to go through a rigorous process and there must be a sustainable business model.

“If we succeed in proving this, I hope it will be followed by the community and other political parties,” he said.

Kira, officially registered under the Cooperative Act 1993 on Jan 31, was launched by party president Anwar Ibrahim earlier this year and made PKR the first party to safeguard the welfare of its grassroots by introducing a cooperative business model.

Meanwhile, Rafizi, who is also the economy minister, said Kira has several targets to achieve by the end of the first quarter next year.

“We will be launching the first Kira store and childcare centres, and we are also considering markets for elderly care,” he said.