KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 15): Following the opening of Mara Digital, the new digital mall for Bumiputera traders only, Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob wants similar stores replicated across the country to promote more Malay IT entrepreneurs.

Writing on his Facebook page, the minister said he hoped his plan would gain support from the Malay community.

He said he had taken note of criticism against Mara Digital, dubbed "Low Yat 2", adding that while it did not matter if some were unsupportive, they should not try to make the plan fail.

"No matter what obstacles I face, it will not dampen my spirit  but instead will be a personal challenge for me to pursue this effort to defend Malay entrepreneurs," he wrote.

Mara Digital, located on the third floor of the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) building in Kuala Lumpur, was Ismail Sabri’s idea following a brawl at Low Yat Plaza in July, after the theft of a handphone involving two Malay youths.

Last week, the minister announced that to attract customers, Mara was waiving rental for traders for the first six months of operations and, in turn, hoped that traders would sell their goods at cheaper prices.

But today, Ismail Sabri said he was saddened that some Malays had criticised him over Mara Digital.

"I was criticised for the six-month rent waiver.

"The intention was to reduce the burden on the tenants as a new place would take time to be patronised.

"They fear that with the free rent, these businesses will lower prices and present a tough competition to traders in other malls.

"But in fact, we should laud the free rental incentive to help Malays but I was insulted for wanting to help Malays," he wrote.