Officiating the launch of the bumiputera-owned IT gadget mall at Mara headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today, Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Sabri Yaacob asserted that it won't go out of business anytime soon, as predicted by some quarters.

"I was informed that many people said this venture won't last more than three months. This is a challenge not only to Mara but to Malays for their advancement.

"We are not here just for three months only - we want to spread this idea nationwide," Ismail said.

He also announced the name of the mall, which has been informally dubbed as 'Low Yat 2', as 'Mara Digital'.

Ismail hoped non-bumiputera consumers would also patronise Mara Digital.

"While the mall is 100 percent bumiputera-owned, I hope that its customers comprise all races. I hope we can be colour-blind from the consumer perspective," he said after the launch of the hub, located at Mara Tower.

Alternative choice

Ismail said he was told that 98 percent of the traders at Low Yat Plaza, the nation's biggest digital gadget mall, are non-bumiputera while 70 percent of the consumers are bumiputera.

However, he believes that race should not be an issue and that the focus should be on reasonable prices and good services.

"We are open to all. We hope our customers are from all races," he added.

Ismail added he did not view Low Yat Plaza as a rival, but as an alternative choice for consumers.

"We do not intend to fight with other malls. But this is a new opportunity for Malay and bumiputera entrepreneurs who could not get lots in other malls, or (if they did) would have to face high rentals."

He said the Mara mall was providing the traders with rent-free space for first six months.

Ismail also stressed that there was no need to provide any loss-cover mechanism for traders as he was confident they would all be able earn their living.