What’s the real deal behind Yayasan Madani and Madani Mart?

Despite pressing questions, the government todate, including the Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Datuk Fuziah Salleh, has yet to provide a clear and comprehensive explanation regarding the controversy surrounding Yayasan MADANI and the MADANI Mart model.

Madani Mart has been promoted as a “people-centric” initiative, supposedly a collaboration between the government, entrepreneurs and the community to reduce the cost of living through lower-priced goods.

However, as more information emerges, it is becoming increasingly evident that this is not merely a model to assist the rakyat, but a business structure that raises serious concerns in terms of governance and conflicts of interest.

More notably, the present government appears to be quietly acknowledging that the concept previously implemented under Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M) by the Barisan Nasional government was in fact effective - only now rebranded with a new image.

Under KR1M, the government supported supply chains to reduce prices for consumers.

In contrast, under Madani Mart, entrepreneurs are not only required to set up their own premises, but must also pay substantial fees to Yayasan Madani - reportedly reaching up to RM420,000 over three years.

This raises a fundamental question: is this truly an initiative to help the people, or a licensing scheme that benefits certain parties?

More concerning is that Yayasan Madani itself is reportedly linked directly to a Deputy Minister and individuals close to the nation’s top leadership.

How can an entity claimed to be “independent” operate within the government ecosystem while simultaneously collecting hefty fees from entrepreneurs?

Does this not clearly give rise to serious conflicts of interest?

Furthermore, entrepreneurs participating in Madani Mart appear to have no freedom in their supply chain, as they are required to source their stock solely from Yayasan Madani.

This is no longer about helping small traders but about market control. When a single entity controls licensing, supply, and operational structures, we can no longer turn a blind eye and describe it as a people’s initiative.

This is a model with the potential to become a concealed monopoly. Therefore, several fundamental questions must be answered:

Where do all the collected fees go?

Are they audited transparently?

Who truly benefits from this model? The rakyat, or certain parties within the power structure?

And more importantly, how can individuals holding positions within the government be directly linked to such a business structure?

The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, cannot remain silent on this issue. A clear explanation must be provided, not only to the media, but to all Malaysians.

This is no longer about a single project. It is about principles.

If the government is truly committed to transparency and reform, issues like this cannot be left unresolved.

The rakyat are watching, and this time, they will not be easily persuaded by slogans.

Wong Siew Mun

Pahang MCA Youth chief