Malaysia's bumiputera-only digital malls struggle to stay open

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.

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. 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 smallest kiosk at the mall, measuring about 97 square feet, costs RM2425 a month to rent. When the mall first opened, vendors enjoyed a rent-free period of six months.Another trader Munir Aslam claims that the building is badly maintained, with uneven tiling, dirty toilets and faulty air-conditioning.

"The help given caused entrepreneurs to depend on Mara. It made them less competitive. Furthermore, some of the assistance did not reach their targets," she said, as quoted by news site Free Malaysia Today.

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