KUALA LUMPUR: Only two Madani Mart outlets are licensed to sell controlled goods and the government keeps no count of how many are operating, said Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.
"The ministry does not keep specific official data on the operational status, the number of branches in operation, the number of applications received, or the number of entrepreneurs involved," he said during Minister Question Time in Parliament on Tuesday (June 23).
Armizan also said any premises that stores, supplies or sells scheduled controlled goods such as rice and cooking oil must hold a Controlled Goods licence under the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
"Based on the ministry's records, two Madani Mart branches hold CSA licences, registered under two business entities acting as operators," he said.
Armizan was responding to Hulu Terengganu MP Datuk Rosol Wahid, who had asked how many branches were running, how many applications had been received and how many entrepreneurs were involved.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim officiated the first Madani Mart outlet in Kuantan on April 3, in an event billed as a government move to ease the cost of living and tied to a target of 640 outlets nationwide, at least one in every state constituency.
Armizan said the ministry kept no rollout data because Madani Mart is run as a private brand rather than a government programme.
He said Yayasan Madani owns the brand and licenses it to separate business entities that apply to operate outlets.
Therefore, Armizan said registration and operation is a matter between the foundation and its licensees.
“Madani Mart is a private retail business brand and not a government initiative,” he added.
Armizan said Yayasan Madani is registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia under the Companies Act 2016 as a company limited by guarantee.
Armizan said his ministry supported any initiative that widened people's access to daily necessities at reasonable prices and opened up opportunities for local entrepreneurs, and would keep helping to build a competitive trading environment.
