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Mara Digital was born from the Low Yat Plaza incident. Its nick name is Low Yat 2.
It happened on 12 July 2015
Scene at Low Yat Plaza now (pix from colleagues)
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Excerpts:
Malaysia’s bumiputera-only digital malls struggle to stay open
PUBLISHEDJAN 22, 2020, 5:04 PM SGTFACEBOOKTWITTERNadirah H. RodziMalaysia Correspondent
KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s bumiputera-only digital malls are struggling to stay open, just four years after they were set up to help the majority community enter and compete in a local technology market dominated by ethnic Chinese vendors.
These malls, set up by government agency Mara – the acronym for Majlis Amanah Rakyat – were first conceived in July 2015, after a brawl erupted in response to a Malay youth caught stealing a handphone from a Chinese retailer at Low Yat Plaza, Kuala Lumpur’s iconic tech shopping centre.
A mob of about 200 people gathered outside the shopping centre the day after the incident, fuelled by race rhetoric and claims that the alleged shoplifter had been cheated into buying a fake phone.
The Mara digital malls were borne of these unfavourable circumstances to compete against Low Yat, and provide Malay tech vendors a leg-up in the sector and Malay consumers an alternative shopping venue for their tech needs.
The bumiputera, which means the “sons of the soil”, include ethnic Malays and natives of Sarawak and Sabah that make up more than 60 per cent of Malaysia’s population of 32 million.
Four years on, the Malays-only platform has shuttered in three states, after battling low shopper footfall and poor earnings.
Three outlets – in Pahang, Johor and Selangor – have shut down, while the future remains uncertain for the sole remaining outlet housed in Menara Mara, in the capital’s Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman shopping district.
“The situation here is getting worse, we’re barely making any profit and you can count how many visitors actually visit the mall every day. Even on weekends, business is slow,” said 35-year-old Muhd Surhadi, a vendor at Menara Mara.
“We’ve even resorted to selling kerepek (tapioca chips) just so that we can generate a bit of income. There should be some kind of promotion for the building so that people know where we are. That would help to generate traffic,” he said.
The smallest kiosk at the mall, measuring about 97 sq ft, costs RM2,425 (S$804) a month to rent. When the mall first opened, vendors enjoyed a rent-free period of six months.
Mr Surhadi said his sales revenue often did not even cover the rent.
Mara Corp chairman Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi and Rural Development Minister Rina Harun did not respond to questions from The Straits Times.
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In a media interview in November, Mr Akhramsyah had conceded that the malls started off on the wrong foot, as they were set up for political reasons, and not based on social or economic factors.
Still, efforts are under way to revive business, he said. These include engaging “new-generation tenants” such as e-sports stakeholders, establishing virtual reality parks and accepting non-Bumiputera vendors.
But these efforts may not bear fruit in time for vendors like Mr Surhadi.
“Worse comes to worst, I will have to return to Low Yat, where the traffic is guaranteed. We all have to move on some day,” he said.
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Mara Digital Mall sees little boost from ‘Buy Muslim-made First’ campaign
KUALA LUMPUR: Although the “Buy Muslim-made First” (BMF) campaign has been gaining traction in some circles in the country, it does not appear to have translated into better business for an information communications technology (ICT) mall set up exclusively for Bumiputera entrepreneurs.
A recent check by FMT at the Mara Digital Mall in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman found it quiet, with only a few kiosks selling laptops and mobile phones.
Many of the people there appeared to be employees of other businesses in the building who were passing through to avoid using the elevators at peak hours.
One of the traders said he felt as though his own people had been boycotting businesses there from the start.
Mara Digital Mall, commonly known as Low Yat 2, was established in 2015 after a highly publicised dispute at Low Yat Plaza where a youth was accused of stealing a RM800 smartphone from one of the shops there.
The trader at Mara Digital Mall who spoke to FMT said business at his outlet had not been good from the beginning, with no signs of improvement.
His alternative strategy of selling mobile phones through social media, however, is paying off as he can afford to be more flexible with his pricing there and can either post the items to his customers or deliver them himself.
He said he can sell about 20 phones a month online compared to only one or two at his shop in the mall.
Businesses at Mara Digital Mall can only get their products from a single supplier, WGN Scan Sdn Bhd (WGN). Some traders say this makes it difficult for them to lower their prices and remain competitive.
An employee at a shop selling laptops said not many customers wanted to buy goods there. The woman who asked to be called Izzah said outlets selling laptops have a harder time than those selling phone accessories.
She also said the single-supplier situation had led to stiff competition.
“It’s difficult,” she told FMT. “If we sell at this price, shop B sells at a different price and shop C sells at yet another price, there will be an issue with the supplier.”
She added that the mall was uninviting, and that many who pass through the area do not even know of its existence.
“They should carry out some promotions, put up a signboard displaying laptop and phone accessories brands and so on.
“If it just says Mara Digital Mall, people don’t know (what it is). I have relatives who think this is a place where Mara employees fix computers.”
But Izzah claimed most of the traders were hesitant to raise the issue with WGN for fear of affecting their dealings with the company.
Last October, WGN marketing and storage manager Mohd Izzat Akbar Arif Amir said the mall’s business was not good as the traders did not get enough support from the media.
He also criticised the mall’s marketing and branding which he said was weaker then when it first began operations.
The BMF campaign began on social media with the Bumiputera community urged to avoid buying products made by businesses owned by non-Bumiputeras.
PAS and Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin defended the campaign in support of products made by Muslims, saying it was aimed at strengthening the economic power of Muslims and giving them a competitive edge.
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The famous digital mall once inside have McDonald’s ! (@ Mara Digital in Kuala Lumpur) https://www.swarmapp.com/c/kJcJf5plGA4
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https://twitter.com/simonwhthong/status/1172403368855080960?s=20
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Mara Digital Mall to go nationwide soon
By P PREM KUMAR & DASHVEENJIT KAUR / Pic By AFIF ABD HALIM
The government plans to build a Mara Digital Mall in every state to increase the involvement of Bumiputera in the local information and communications technology (ICT) retail market.
Rural and Regional Development Deputy Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi said the government will begin the process to build Mara Digital Malls in every state.
“Our long-term objective is to expand Mara Digital Mall into the district, which would be similar to the ones we have at Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) arcades,” he said in Parliament yesterday, in response to Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi Chuan Aun who asked about the business volume at the first Mara Digital Mall in Kuala Lumpur.
Alexander said two more Mara Digital Malls will begin operating next year in Melaka and Johor, four currently operating in Kuala Lumpur, Shah Alam, Ipoh and Kuantan.
“The Mara Digital Mall in Kuala Lumpur has been well received based on its recorded sales volume of RM28.3 million, with all 40 spaces fully occupied, since its inception in December 2015,” he said.
Alexander said the Shah Alam mall, which has been operating since July 2016, has recorded RM2.3 million.
The Mara malls in Ipoh, Perak, and Kuantan, Pahang, which opened in October are also fully occupied, he said.
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OCTOBER 2017
TWO YEARS ON…
MOST IMPORTANT FACT: PEOPLE ARE STILL GOING TO LOW YAT PLAZA WHERE PRICES ARE 10-12% LOWER.
COMPLAINTS
1. FEWER VISITORS THAN AT FIRST
2. LACK OF BUSINESS
3. FALL IN REVENUE
4. SHORTAGE OF STOCK
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2016
Total revenue for the first 12 months: RM17.38 million
Average revenue for the 38 outlets: RM38,114 per month
2017
Total revenue for the first 8 months: RM7.6 million
Average revenue for the 38 outlets: RM25,000 per month
*Latest figure: Sales revenue of RM26 million since December 2015.
This means sales revenue of RM8.62 million for the first 10 months of 2017 or RM86.2 per month.
Average revenue for the 38 outlets: RM22,700 per month.
NOT GOOD AT ALL FOR THE 38 OUTLETS
2016: Average revenue is RM38,114 per month
2017: Average revenue isRM22,700 per month.
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30 October 2017
TheMalaysianInsightVerified account @msianinsight
Mara Digital Mall made more than RM28 million in sales
MARA Digital Mall has recorded more than RM28 million in sales since it was set up in December 2015.
Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi said the lion’s share of the sale, totaling RM26 million, was made at the Menara Mara Digital Mall, and the balance at Anggerik Mall Mara Digital, Shah Alam.
He said there were currently four Mara Digital Malls, with two others in Ipoh and Kuantan.
https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/20671/
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28 September 2017
Malay Mail OnlineVerified account @themmailonline
MARA chairman: Supply monopoly at Bumi IT mall necessary for cheaper supplies
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 — MARA chairman Datuk Awang Adek has defended the agency’s decision to hire a sole distributor for its Bumiputera-only digital mall, which is reportedly losing money.
The newly-appointed chairman of the Bumiputera Development Agency said individual vendors did not have enough demand to order stocks in large bulk, which is needed to secure products at cheaper prices.
“To create volume for the single supplier to source from outside so that the prices of items become cheaper which benefits are passed down to individual shops,” Awang explained when contacted by Malay Mail Online.
“The single supplier becomes aggregator to get cheaper supplies.
“If individual shops were to order direct from suppliers outside, the volume is not there and prices can’t be lowered,” he added.
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25 September 2017
Large-scale promotion to boost sales at Mara Digital Mall
LED Billboards, Mara educational institutions, local universities and advertisement buntings are among the means to lift the business of the IT traders following reports of falling sales and decreasing customers.
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PETALING JAYA: Mara will launch a large-scale promotion to boost the business of Bumiputera traders at Mara Digital Mall, following reports of falling sales and decreasing customers at the 2-year-old information and communications technology (ICT) centre here.
“Starting October 2017, Mara Digital Mall will be promoted on a big scale, including the use of LED Billboards, Mara educational institutions, local universities and advertisement buntings.
“There will be a variety of programmes sponsored by IT products manufacturers to be held at Mara Digital Mall, for example, Oppo Fair and Acer Roadshow,” said Mara director-general Azhar Abdul Manaf in a statement today.
He said more than a million people visited the mall which chalked up sales of over RM18 million last year and, up to August this year, the number of visitors hit 585,580 and sales exceeded RM7.6 million.
The mall would be expanded to another level in Menara Mara in Kuala Lumpur to cope with the increase in visitors, he added.
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21 September 2017
Two years on, Mara Digital Mall losing its shine?
The mall is reportedly struggling with a decline in sales with one trader saying his customers had eventually returned to Low Yat Plaza.
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PETALING JAYA: It was touted as a competitor for information communications technology (ICT) mall Low Yat Plaza at its opening two years ago, but today, Mara Digital Mall is reportedly struggling with a decline in sales and number of patrons.
Mara Digital Mall, also known as “Low Yat 2”, was launched on Dec 8, 2015, following a much-publicised dispute at Low Yat Plaza in July that year when a youth allegedly stole a RM800 Lenovo smartphone from one of the shops there.
Unlike Low Yat Plaza, Mara Digital Mall caters specifically to Bumiputera entrepreneurs, and is aimed at assisting them in breaking through the ICT market.
The proposal for the platform reserved specifically for Malay-Bumiputera traders received mixed reactions at the time, but the mall appeared to do well at first.
Last December, Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said Mara Digital Mall had recorded a turnover of RM18.4 million as of November that year.
He said this proved wrong the cynics who had said that the mall would not last long.
According to The Malaysian Reserve, however, traders are now seeing a decrease in sales which they attribute to a lack of product variation, competitive prices and slow publicity.
This is despite the mall’s strategic location near Sogo Mall and Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur.
Faizal Johari, who is a manager at Acer Inc Concept Store, told the portal that his business had done well for the first few months, but that his customers had eventually returned to Low Yat Plaza.
In the report, he said traders at Mara Digital Mall could not compete with those at Low Yat Plaza, who sold their products at lower prices.
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According to The Malaysian Reserve, products sold at Mara Digital Mall are generally 10% to 12% more expensive than those available at Low Yat Plaza.
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23 Dec 2016
FMT News @fmtoday 39 minutes ago
Sewa bakal dikenakan, tetapi jualan hambar di Mara Digital Shah Alam
SHAH ALAM: Peniaga di Mara Digital Anggerik Mall di sini bakal dikenakan bayaran sewa RM1,600 pada Februari, tetapi selepas 5 bulan, mereka masih tidak teruja dengan prestasi perniagaan mereka.
Tinjauan FMT mendapati pusat jualan barangan IT yang dikhaskan untuk peniaga Bumiputera ini tidak sibuk, malah peniaga merungut jualan agak perlahan.
Peniaga Muhammad Anuar Abdullah menganggarkan keuntungan yang diperolehinya setiap bulan hanya sekadar mencukupi.
“Tak ada untung sangat,” katanya ketika ditemui FMT, tanpa mendedahkan jumlah sebenar yang diperolehinya setiap bulan.
Anuar berkata antara sebabnya ialah kurang promosi oleh pihak pengurusan.
Banner pun letak di dalam bangunan, mana orang nak tahu.
“Macam mana orang nak datang? Pihak pengurusan perlu fokus promosi tempat ini,” katanya.
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Anuar berkata sewa RM1,600 sebulan yang bakal dikenakan tidak setimpal dengan jumlah kehadiran orang ramai di pusat membeli belah itu.
“Kalau RM500-RM800 boleh terima lagi. RM1,600 mahal sangat, lebih-lebih lagi orang tak ramai,” katanya.
Pandangan itu dikongsi seorang lagi peniaga, Mohd Nor Azani Mahasan, yang berkata keuntungan kasar diperolehinya hanya RM2,000 sebulan.
Pengunjung Mohd Arif Adli berkata beliau tidak pernah sedar akan kewujudan Mara Digital di Anggerik Mall.
“Saya pun kebetulan datang ke sini nak makan dan ternampak orang menjual barangan elektronik,” katanya.
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21 Dec 2016
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FMT News Mara Digital traders lament shortage of stock
Traders express concern the shortage of IT goods will affect consumer confidence.
KUALA LUMPUR: Traders at Mara Digital Mall are worried with the sole supplier’s inability to ensure a constant supply of IT products, saying this will affect consumer confidence.
Speaking to FMT, trader Mohamad Fadzly Rahmat said many of his customers had complained that the items they wanted were not available.
“If we don’t have the items, then people will not be satisfied with the service here. Mara Digital Mall is an IT centre not a pasar malam (night market),” he said, adding his customers grumbled every time they were given the “no stock” excuse.
It was previously reported that WGN Scan Sdn Bhd (WGN) had been appointed as the sole supplier for Mara Digital Mall, that was set up to provide a platform for Bumiputera IT traders.
The minister then, Ismail Sabri Yakoob had said that as the sole supplier, WGN would ensure only original products were sold. Last Monday, Ismail said Mara Digital Mall had recorded sales of RM18.4 million as of November.
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Mara Digital Mall: Is it really a success?
More information is needed about the monthly operational costs to run an outlet before concluding that the minister’s “pet project” is truly a success.
By TK Chua
According to Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the Mara Digital Mall launched on Dec 8 last year is a success. Sales recorded amounted to RM18.4 million for the 38 outlets currently in operation at the mall. However, if we take out the RM1.02 million generated by traders at the Anggerik Mall in Shah Alam, the sales achieved at the Mara Digital Mall is only RM17.38 million.
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A RM17.38 million turnover for 12 months by 38 outlets is RM38,114 per month per outlet. Is this a large or small sales figure per outlet? Is this a viable and sustainable number? What is the gross margin for digital businesses? I hope the minister and those in this business are able to help me out.
Is a 30% gross margin for digital businesses a fair assumption? If so, 30% of RM38,114 is RM11,343 per month.
How many workers or assistants does an outlet require to achieve a turnover of RM38,114 a month? Are two workers a fair assumption with each getting RM2,000 a month?
What is the “market” rental (unsubsidised rental) for each outlet in the Mara Digital Mall? Is RM3,000 per outlet reasonable with air-conditioning, lighting and general maintenance thrown in? What about insurance, licensing, security and other auxiliary expenses? Can we assume RM1,000 per month for this?
The net to each outlet owner is RM3,343 per month before paying his own salary (RM11,343 minus RM8,000). Is this considered a “success”?
I wish the minister could give a more cogent assessment of his pet project. Quoting some global numbers is not going to reveal or help much.
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19 Dec 2016
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RM1.02m came from the Anggerik Mall in Shah Alam, which was opened six months ago, so Mara Digital earned RM17m.
RM18.4m sales for the past 12 months: Not that good when you break it down…
RM17m was the sales figure for the 12 months that Mara Digital has been in operation (Dec 2015 – Nov 2016).
That works out to R1.4m a month, down from the RM1.7m recorded in the first month of operation.
There are 38 operators, so the monthly average for each is RM37,000. That is lower than the RM47,500 average of the first month.
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malaysiakini.com @malaysiakini
‘RM18.4m sales proves Mara Digital critics wrong’
The Mara Digital Mall initiative has recorded a turnover of RM18.4 million as of last November, Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.
This, he said, proved wrong the cynics who said that the Mara Digital Mall would not last long.
“It (sales) is an encouraging amount. We also found tenants, who were given six months free rental, continuing their business, meaning the market is good,” he told reporters after visiting the Mara Digital Mall at the Mara Building today.
He said the sales included RM1.02 million made by traders at the Anggerik Mall in Shah Alam, which was opened six months ago.
The Mara Digital Mall in Kuala Lumpur was launched on Dec 8 last year and now has 38 business lots, involving the participation of 27 entrepreneurs.
Ismail Sabri said five more Mara digital malls are scheduled to be opened next year, namely at Bangunan Air Melaka in Melaka; Plaza Paya Bunga in Kuala Terengganu; Plaza Larkin in Johor Baru; Bangunan Mara in Kuantan and in Kota Baru, Kelantan.
“Our target is for every state to have at least one digital mall by end of next year,” he added.
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18 January 2016
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Sales of RM1.7million for 38 ‘entrepreneurs’ average out to sales revenue of RM47,500 each.
Be generous and give them a 10% margin, so gross profit is RM4,750 per ‘enterpreneur’.
Wages? They can’t be one-man outfits, so at least 2 people (‘entrepreneur’ and 1 employee) in each store. At RM1,000 per person: RM2,000.
No rental is charged yet but what about the water and electricity bills? Round it off to RM200 each although that would be low (but then, MARA could subsidize everyone).
Total costs: RM2,000 + RM200 = RM2,200.
Gross revenue: RM4,750.
Profit: RM4,750 – RM2,200 = RM2,550.
Not a bad monthly income since the ‘entrepreneur’ would earn RM3,550 (wages RM1,000 + RM2,550).
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Be even more generous and give each store a 30% margin. Now, that changes the figures a lot.
Gross revenue would shoot up to RM14,250 and after costs of RM2,200 are deducted, net profit would be RM12,050!
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Ismail Sabri said Mara Digital was one of the transformations by his ministry to create a high income techno-hub for youth entrepreneurs.
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Malaysian Insider
RM1.7 million sales for Mara Digital in first month, says Ismail Sabri
Mara Digital which started operating on December 8 recorded a sale of RM1.7 million in its first month, according to Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Located at Menara Mara Kuala Lumpur, it offers communications and information technology (ICT) goods and services by 38 Bumiputera entrepreneurs.
Five telecommunication companies – Maxis, Celcom, DiGi, Umobile and Red One – and two Internet network service providers, P1Wimax and Fiber@Home also operate at the premises.
“Mara Digital charges the same price as other popular ICT shopping centres,” he said at the monthly assembly for his ministry today.
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4 January 2016
All Mara Digital products to go through sole bumi company
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Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Sabri Yaacob today said that the authenticity of all IT products sold at the newly opened Mara Digital will be vetted and guaranteed by a bumiputera-owned company appointed to manage its tenants.
Speaking to reporters after a walkabout at the IT mall in Kuala Lumpur, Ismail Sabri said that the company, WGN Innovation Frontiers, has been appointed as the main supplier for products sold at Mara Digital.
“There are two kinds of products sold here but both must go through WGN in order to guarantee its authenticity.
“Even if the tenants can source their product directly from the principle company, for example in China, the items must still be vetted by WGN,” he said.
Aside from ensuring the supply of products sold at Mara Digital, Ismail Sabri also announced that Mara officers and officers from the Domestic Trade, Co-Operatives and Consumerism, will be running a customer service centre.
The centre, Ismail Sabri said, was set up to address complaints that there was a lack of after sale services there.
“There is no issue of fake products being sold here. Customers should also not be worried about after sale services,” he said.
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/325379
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26 December 2015
Malay Mail Online
Utusan: Supporting Malays more important than pricing of MARA Digital Mall goods
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 26 — Consumers should focus on supporting the Malay traders at the new all-Bumiputera MARA Digital Mall instead of merely on the competitiveness of the prices they offer, the editors of local paper Utusan Malaysia said today.
The editors, writing under pseudonym Awang Selamat, said, however, that from the newspaper’s observations, customers of newly-opened tech mall by government agency Majlis Amanah Rakyat’s (MARA) are happy with the prices of goods sold there.
“Based on Utusan Malaysia’s survey yesterday, visitors there were satisfied with the prices offered, and one of the visitors even stated that the prices of goods there is not an issue, but that supporting Malays is more important.
“Awang is very much in agreement with that view; and hats-off to MARA for always fighting for the Bumiputera,” the Malay-language paper’s editors wrote in the paper’s weekend edition Mingguan Malaysia.
Earlier in the editorial, the paper said the MARA Digital Mall has already marked an achievement by giving Malay and Bumiputera traders the opportunity to venture into the IT business, but urged Malay consumers to support the gadget mall to ensure the advancement of their community.
“What’s important now is for this initiative to succeed for the sake of Malay development.
“As such, the support of all quarters, especially from the Malays themselves, is crucial. At the very least, make this (mall) an alternative location to purchase IT equipment,” the paper said.
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18 December 2015
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Mixed reactions to Malaysia’s first digital mall for Bumiputera traders
The MARA Digital Mall in Kuala Lumpur is the first of a series of Bumiputera-only malls planned across the nation. It is part of the nation’s longstanding policy of affirmative action for ethnic Malays and indigenous groups.
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- Posted 18 Dec 2015 21:43
KUALA LUMPUR: In early December, Malaysia launched its “first” digital mall exclusively for traders who are Bumiputera, the collective term for the ethnic Malays and indigenous groups who make up the majority of the Malaysian population.
For six months, shop-owners at the MARA Digital Mall in Kuala Lumpur will not have to pay rent, all part of Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s plans to help “disadvantaged” Bumiputera entrepreneurs break into a lucrative market.
At a press conference, he said: “The opportunities for Bumiputera at other IT malls are scarce. At other IT malls, the rent is too high so the ability of Bumiputera entrepreneurs to rent these places are limited. And the opportunities given for Bumiputera entrepreneurs to rent at these malls are very limited. So we have to provide a place where they can afford the rent and so on.”
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Minister Ismail Sabri then announced plans for the mall in Kuala Lumpur that would give Malay and other Bumiputera traders a level playing field. He said the wheels are now in motion for more such malls to be set up across the country.
It is an idea that has been welcomed by Malay traders who say they have faced discrimination.
“Sometimes when you apply to rent out shop lots, the mall will see what company you’re from, if you’re Malay … If you are, they’ll put aside your application first and prioritise Chinese,” one security camera shop worker told Channel NewsAsia.
Other Malaysians, however, have ridiculed the move on social media.
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But policies championing the rights and advancement of the “native” people of Malaysia are nothing new. The New Economic Policy detailing affirmative action policies was introduced in the 1970s and UMNO, the largest party in the only ruling coalition Malaysia has ever known, is dedicated to championing Malay interests and their “special position”, as recognised in the constitution.
These are policies that have caused tensions in the past among Malaysia’s multi-ethnic population, which includes Chinese and Indians who have lived in the nation for generations.
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But analyst Amir Fareed Rahim from the KRA Group said that while ethnic Malays may still have some catching up to do in certain areas, it may be time to revisit the notion of socio-economic disparities based on ethnicity.
He told Channel NewsAsia: “There is a growing gap between the rich and the poor in Malaysia and when this happens, you must not look at it from a racial point of view but look at it from an economic perspective. You should help alleviate everyone into a better economic standard rather than looking into races and trying to champion certain causes.”
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/mixed-reactions-to/2359964.html?cid=twtcna
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Mara Digital but the fact that such a blatant act of racism has been allowed to take place openly in this country.
The symbol of discrimination in the heart of KL – Sin Chew Daily
To put it simply, Mara Digital was born out of a handphone theft with a heavy racist hue.
After the July fracas, Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob proposed to set up a Bumi-only digital mall that would only allow Bumiputera dealers to do business at the mall. Drawing more widespread controversy has been the rent waiver advantage for the first six months.
A competitive mechanism is very much present in the market and it will be best for the government to stay out of the business lest it will disrupt the normal functioning of the market, which is a universally accepted view.
Unfortunately, our government has tried to put a hand into the civilian’s business, and do so from a racist perspective. Such a move is not only contrary to the principle of fair competition, but will even jeopardise the existing market mechanism.
It is very unfair for the government to make use of the country’s resources to help the Bumiputera traders by exempting their half-year rent requirement in a bid to lessen their cost burden.
And this has far exceeded the confines of patronage policy, which is itself questionable. It is very much a manifestation of generalised racism.
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EXPANDING RACIAL SEGREGATION? Nation wide….
15 December 2015
Ismail Sabri: Bumi digital malls to be opened nationwide
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Bumiputera IT mall Mara Digital will be replicated nationwide, says Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, a week since the controversial mall opened its doors.
In a Facebook posting, Ismail Sabri said the expansion of Mara Digital will see the creation of more bumiputera IT retailers whom he claimed have been sidelined from other similar outlets.
“I don’t mind if people do not want to support, but please don’t try and sabotage and cause it to fail.
“Come what may, it will not weaken my spirit but I will take it as a challenge to defend the rights of Malay and bumiputera retailers,” Ismail said.
His posting has attracted support from people who claimed that the IT sector has for far too long been dominated by non-Malays.
Others called on the retailers to ensure their products are up-to-date and competitively priced.
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/323418
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Adalah lazim bagi pemimpin Cina bantu bangsa Cina. Begitu juga dengan pemimpin Melayu bantu bangsa Melayu.
Tetapi saya hairan dengan penulisan blog OutSyed The Box yang marah bila Ismail Sabri beri sewa percuma selama 6 bulan di MARA DIGITAL. Takkan bantu usahawan Melayu pun nak marah?
Rujuk blog ni di
But I wonder with writing blog outsyed the box are angry if ismail sabri give rent free for 6 months in advanced digital. Wouldn’t help an entrepreneur melayu pun nak angry?
See the blog in this
http://syedsoutsidethebox.blogspot.my/…/nenek-tua-business-…
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10 December 2015
All-Bumi IT mall opens, Chinese Low Yat traders fear losing Malay customers
…despite having the advantage of being the first tech hub in the capital city offering among the most competitive prices for tech goods in Kuala Lumpur and even Selangor, the sales executive said the new MARA mall has a key advantage — racial sentiment.
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KUALA LUMPUR — Ethnic Chinese traders at Low Yat Plaza are concerned that the new all-Bumiputera MARA Digital Mall could snatch away most of their Malay customers as the community continues to boycott the once-popular tech hub in Bukit Bintang after a racial brawl broke out there in July.
Most traders polled by Malay Mail Online said that they are concerned the new mall — once dubbed “Low Yat 2” — could drive down their business significantly, noting that Malay presence in Low Yat Plaza has decreased since the violent incident took place.
“If you ask me to be honest, yes of course we are a bit worried. Since the incident, there have been fewer Malay customers. Even until today,” said 27-year-old Kent, a senior sales executive with a vendor for computer giant Acer.
The all-Bumiputera tech mall, located less than 7km away from Low Yat Plaza, officially started operating yesterday (Dec 9) after a glitzy opening, with state-owned media giving it full coverage, including a front-page feature on Malay broadsheet Utusan Malaysia.
The media blitzkrieg was apparently intended to promote the new mall, initiated as a Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) programme as part of the federal government’s effort to promote Bumiputera venture into the information technology retail market otherwise dominated by Malaysia’s minority Chinese.
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8 December 2015
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#LowYat2 Is Now #MARADigital: Opens For Business Today http://lowy.at/GoedXPH
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南洋商报eNanyang @nanyangpress 35 minutes ago
被喻为刘蝶广场2的巫裔商家电子产品广场，今日在乡村及区域发展部长依斯迈沙比里莅临下正式推介，名为Mara Digital。 http://www.enanyang.my/?p=443219
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Thank you for dropping by @koperasicoop2u @chapree #maradigital #coop2u
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Low Yat 2 sedia dibuka, usahawan Bumiputera harap perniagaan pulih
TMI Bahasa 
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Sempena pembukaan “Low Yat 2” hari ini, pemilik kedai gajet Bob Nurdin berharap perniagaannya akan bertambah baik di pusat membeli-belah digital khusus untuk peniaga Bumiputera itu, yang terletak di Bangunan Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara), Kuala Lumpur.
Bob, 30, mengambil keputusan memindahkan perniagaannya dari Plaza Low Yat di Bukit Bintang, kerana mendapati jualannya jatuh mendadak sebanyak 80% selepas insiden rusuhan di lokasi itu pada Julai lalu.
Beliau yang sudah menjalankan perniagaannya sejak 8 tahun lalu mengambil keputusan sedemikian kerana ingin mencuba sesuatu yang baharu.
“Saya terpaksa ambil risiko sebab jualan jatuh teruk lepas kejadian itu,” katanya.
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Tinjauan The Malaysian Insider mendapati bangunan yang diharapkan kerajaan akan menggantikan Plaza Low Yat itu, tidak mempunyai ramai pengunjung dan kebanyakan kedai menutup perniagaan seawal 7.30 malam.
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Bagi seorang lagi peniaga Bumiputera di Plaza Low Yat yang enggan namanya disiarkan, beliau tidak bercadang berpindah ke bangunan Mara walaupun sewanya jauh lebih murah.
Ini kerana, beliau berpendapat, kawasan itu tidak strategik jika dibandingkan dengan Plaza Low Yat.
“Konsep di bangunan Mara seperti di Plaza Alam Sentral, 1 tingkat sahaja yang jual barangan IT. Saya tidak berani ambil risiko.
“Sebab, orang ramai tahu, kalau nak cari barangan gajet, semua cari di Low Yat. Boleh dapat dari A ke Z.
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Kosmo! Online @kosmo_online 47 minutes ago
Mara Digital mula beroperasi hari ini http://ht.ly/VBpAH
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Ismail Sabri said if the pilot project of the sale centre for communications product was successful and received good response, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) would expand the concept throughout the whole country.
Mara would upgrade all Mara Arcades and carry out a rebranding exercise to open up business opportunities and assist the rural community in developing their businesses, he said. – Bernama, November 23, 2015.
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Low Yat – Chinese Low Yat 2 – Malay Low Yat 3 maybe Indian and Low Yat 4 will be Warga Asing hahahahahah what the f is going on? lol
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Hype Malaysia What what. #LowYat2 at Menara MARA is slated to open its doors to the public on 8th Dec: http://hype.my/2015/90881/lowyat2-it-mall-aka-low-yat-2-at-menara-mara-to-open-next-month-under-a-new-name/ …
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Lowyat.NET Low Yat 2 will open in December, actual name to be revealed on launch day. Details: http://lowy.at/bHOkCG
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Low Yat 2 will open in December, actual name to be revealed on launch day. Details: http://lowy.at/bHOkCG
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Malaysian Insider
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1Malaysia and Sabri’s segregation policy – Tan Poh Kheng
Soon after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak took office, he introduced the “1Malaysia” concept in the hope of bringing all Malaysians irrespective of race and religion together to enjoy equitable rights and status, and stay united.
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But, this 1Malaysia spirit has apparently been crushed by Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Inspired by the theft-turned-riot incident at Low Yat Plaza in August, our minister exercised his racism-infatuated creativity to the fullest by proposing a Malays-only Low Yat 2, in a clear attempt to create a distinct demarcation between the Malays and Chinese in the country.
However, if things have developed to such a stage that every commercial sub-sector has to have separate Malay and non-Malay components, this is without the slightest doubt an attempt to bring back to life the evil racial segregation policy in this country.
Just because a majority of the retailers at Low Yat Plaza are Chinese, we must therefore set up another Low Yat 2 that is 100% bumi-operated. The confrontational racist hue couldn’t have been more glaring here.
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Malaysian Insider
‘Low Yat 2’ ready next month, says Ismail Sabri
‘Low Yat 2’, a retail and wholesale centre for telecommunications equipment like the Low Yat Plaza in Bukit Bintang, will be opened on December 8, said Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
He said that in conjunction with the opening, the centre would be given a new name and logo.
“Thirty-six premises selling telecommunications equipment owned 100% by Bumiputera companies have been shorlisted to commence their business.”
Ismail Sabri hoped the centre would become the choice of the public in getting IT equipment and facilities.
The communications centre operating on the third floor, Menara Mara would sell IT products openly and independently with quality products, he said.
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18 August 2015
Malay Mail Online
Utusan editor defends Low Yat 2 idea, claims Chinese already rich
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 ― Utusan Malaysia editor Zulkifli Jalil has come to Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s defence over the minister’s proposal of a Low Yat 2 mall exclusively for Malay traders, claiming that most professionals comprise the Chinese and that the ethnic minority is already wealthy as they own many city properties.
Zulkifli reminded critics of the rural and regional development minister that Malay “special rights” are enshrined under Article 153 of the Federal Constitution and that giving the Malays and Bumiputera training, scholarships, charity, and economic encouragement was agreed upon by all parties before the country’s independence in 1957.
Contrary to Zulkifli’s assertion, Article 153 does not mention “special rights” and merely states that the “special position” of the Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak are to be safeguarded.
“Who’s wealthy with property ownership in Penang, Kangar, Alor Setar, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, Seremban, Johor Baru, Malacca, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching? Is it the Malays and Bumiputera or the Chinese?” Zulkifli asked in his column today titled “Salahkah Ismail Sabri?” [Is Ismail Sabri wrong?].
“The doctors, lawyers, engineers, accountants and other professionals in this country ― who makes up the majority? Isn’t it our Chinese friends?” added the editor of the Umno-linked Malay-language broadsheet.
Zulkifli also pointed to the country’s top 20 wealthiest Malaysians, noting that there are only two or three Malays in the list.
The Chinese dominate the top 20 positions in the Forbes list of Malaysia’s richest, with the only Bumiputera comprising tycoon Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar al-Bukhary and AmBank Group chairman Tan Sri Azman Hashim.
“The fact is that this country was originally a Malay land, but its development and administration was shared with non-Malays ― we need to stress and accept this,” said Zulkifli.
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15 August 2015
Competition is healthy but Low Yat 2 is not conducive to national unity
Malay Mail Online
‘Competition is healthy’, unity minister says to colleague’s Malay-only Low Yat 2 idea
PETALING JAYA, Aug 15 ― Segregating Bumiputera tech traders from those of other races will not boost their business acumen but will deepen the ethnic rift and harm national unity instead, Minister Tan Sri Joseph Kurup warned today.
The minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of unity pointed that competition was needed in order for businesses to thrive and insisted both the Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera need to mingle instead of being separated, in response to a recent suggestion from Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob for an exclusive tech mall such as the popular gadget hub Low Yat but just for Malays.
“It’s not conducive to national unity,” Kurup told a press conference here after officiating the 8th Swami Satyanada Memorial Lecture organised by The Pure Life Society.
“To help the Bumiputeras do business like in Low Yat, it’s good to have an understanding so that the Bumiputeras and non-Bumiputeras are in one place so they can integrate.
“Competition is healthy. Maybe the Bumiputeras can learn business tactics that can bring in profit. It’ll promote understanding of culture,” the president of the United Sabah People’s Party added.
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13 August 2015
“But if you promote the idea of a second Low Yat, you are not helping but further polarising the communities. I don’t think this Low Yat 2 for Bumiputras is a good idea,” he said.
Star
Thursday August 13, 2015 MYT 4:23:43 PM
Saifuddin: ‘Low Yat 2’ will polarise communities further
PETALING JAYA: Setting up a second Low Yat Plaza will only serve to further polarise communities, says Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.
The Global Movement of Moderates (GMM) CEO was responding to Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s comment’s about opening an alternative digital mall solely for Malay traders.
“There are two issues you need to tackle here. The first issue is to motivate Malay entrepreneurs and the second is that you need to enhance unity.
“If you want to help them, you need to develop a community of entrepreneurs where the Malays can learn from others,” he said via telephone.
“In this context the Malays can learn from Chinese businessmen. What we should be doing is to promote smart partnerships between Malays and Chinese or with other non-Malay entrepreneurs,” said Saifuddin, who is a former deputy education minister.
“It is a reality that Malays need to improve and it is also a reality that the Chinese and some non-Malay entrepreneurs are doing better. So in order to develop, we need to promote smart partnerships between the two,” he explained.
He added that this would in turn achieve another objective, which is to promote unity.
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12 August 2015
.@teresakok: PM @NajibRazak urged to drop minister for Malay-only ‘Low Yat’
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Yayasan Ayahanda Semalaysia backs ‘Low Yat 2’ proposal but its executive chairperson, Syed Husain Al-Shahab, says, “There is probably a hidden agenda there, and we don’t want that. We want this to be transparent.”
‘Ayahanda’ throws support behind ‘Low Yat 2’ proposal http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/308337
5:25PM Aug 12, 2015
Ayahanda throws support behind ‘Low Yat 2’ proposal
Yayasan Ayahanda Semalaysia fully supports Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s proposal for a fully bumiputera-operated alternative to popular IT mall Low Yat Plaza.
However, the foundation’s executive chairperson Syed Husain Al-Shahab said the foundation must be fully involved in the setting up of the new mall to ensure that there are no middlemen.
“We want it to be 100 percent run by bumiputera, And we want it to be better and more exclusive than Low Yat Plaza.
“We don’t want there to be middlemen and we don’t want someone telling us which shops the traders should take.
“There is probably a hidden agenda there, and we don’t want that. We want this to be transparent,” he told reporters at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/308337
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Low yat 2 will just widening the racial gap. #lowyat
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shafiqsulong Low yat 2 just for bumiputera? Kes haritu antara pengguna dengan penjual bukan isu perkauman
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zack Ha bagus!! Big clap for the government.. #lowyat2 akan dibuka. Ini lagi menambahkan masalah racist dalam negara. Goodjob _|_ government
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mat kelubi @MatKelubi 22 minutes ago
MAT KELUBI PUNYA CERITA: Low Yat 2 Khas untuk orang Melayu.. Tahniah DS Ism… http://matkelubi.blogspot.com/2015/08/low-yat-2-khas-untuk-orang-melayu.html?spref=tw …
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Ismail Sabri @Ismail_Sabri60 24 minutes ago
Suka untuk saya maklumkan bahawa kita bercadang untuk buka Low Yat 2 di Bangunan MARA. Saya percaya pembukaan… http://fb.me/7qTbXGWi1
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Ili Shairah @AishahHilmi 54 minutes ago
Low yat 2 pulak. Dorg ni tk faham ke isu haritu bkn mslh perkauman. Tu antara penjual dan pengguna.
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MALAY APARTHEID: Minister wants ‘Low Yat 2’ tech mall specifically for Malays http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/minister-wants-low-yat-2-tech-mall-specifically-for-malays …
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@NajibRazak @HishammuddinH2O @Khairykj @Suara_generasi @netraKL http://m.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/minister-wants-low-yat-2-tech-mall-specifically-for-malays … Does this ever sound like 1 Malaysia ?
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Low Yat 2 for Malays? So much for a plural society 
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11 August 2015
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Of all the wise ass ideas our minister shit out to win more votes, ‘Low Yat 2 just for Malays’ probably ranks amongst the most wise assiest
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Kahkah. Low Yat 2 for malay. I’ll name it the mall Low Yat Tee Abdullah Mall. #NamaBaruLowYat
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Obviously the people who are mooting the idea of Low Yat 2 do not go to Low Yat and so do not know why people go there.
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Can the vendors of this ‘Low Yat 2‘ sell their wares at the same competitive prices? If racial quotas imposed, unlikely.
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Mohd Faizal Helmi @faizhelmi 13 minutes ago
Jadinya low yat 2 ni akan jual barang2 komputer dan gadget original lah yer? Maklumlah… Melayu takkan nak tipu sesama sendiri kan.
Therefore, low yat 2 ni will sell computer and gadgets barang2 original lah yer? Maklumlah … Malay LL want to deceive each other right.
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Segregating races for malls? So much for 1Malaysia. http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/minister-wants-low-yat-2-tech-mall-specifically-for-malays?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook …
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Yes do Low Yat 2 for the Malays ; just dont do MDB2 #fb
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Why not name it Lowyar Plaza? http://fb.me/3QpKJ17Kz
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Low Yat 2 in Medan Mara? Then its not Low Yat.
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“We target 100 percent business from the Malay community. There are currently no Malay suppliers, that is why they are given the leniency,” said Ismail Sabri.
Ismail Sabri proposes to open Low Yat 2 at MARA building
Astro Awani | 
August 11, 2015 17:15 MYT
Astro AWANI Ismail Sabri proposes to open Low Yat 2 at MARA building – http://bit.ly/1gvDDi7
KUALA LUMPUR: Low Yat 2, a centre for sales and purchase of telecommunication items which matches the function of Low Yat Plaza located at Bukit Bintang had been proposed to be opened at Jalan Raja Laut.
The centre is expected to fulfil the public needs which was earlier focused at Low Yat Plaza, said Minister of Rural and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
According to the plans proposed by Ismail Sabri, Low Yat 2 will be located on the third floor of the MARA building (Majlis Amanah Rakyat).
“We will develop the floor as soon as possible and we will provide space especially for Malay businessman.
“We will turn it into ‘Low Yat 2’ and we will gather as many suppliers in the building,” said Ismail Sabri who was met after attending the MARA Aidilfitri Open House event here on Tuesday.
The announcement of the proposed Low Yat 2 was made by Ismail Sabri after a brief visit at the MARA building in conjunction with the event.
“We realise the existence of other places which provide similar services, such as Bukit Bintang and the Pertama Complex opposite the MARA building. We, however believe that the public will have more option if they wish to conduct business straight with the suppliers.
http://english.astroawani.com/business-news/ismail-sabri-proposes-open-low-yat-2-mara-building-69378
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5:36PM Aug 11, 2015
Ismail Sabri moots ‘Low Yat 2’ for Malay traders
Ismail Sabri suggested that the “Low Yat 2” be established at the third floor of the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) headquarters along Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur.
He said that “Low Yat 2” will be able to rival Low Yat Plaza, which is Malaysia’s best known electronic goods store.
“We will prepare the floor as soon as possible and we will give space to Malay traders, particularly.
“We will turn it into ‘Low Yat 2’ and we will gather as many big suppliers as possible at this building,” he said, after attending the Mara open house in Kuala Lumpur today, according to Astro Awani.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/308202
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