A traders association gathered outside two chain mini-mart outlets in Shah Alam yesterday to protest against the chains operated by a hypermarket which the group claims are “killing our livelihood”.

Around 30 protesters and members of the Malaysian Muslim Wholesalers and Retailers Association (Mawar) shouted slogans and heckled the staff outside a 99 Speedmart outlet for around an hour this afternoon, before leaving to gather in front of another mini-mart operated by Giant hypermarket.  

NONE They held up placards that read, among others, ‘99 Speedmart, 450 outlets - 1Family’ and ‘Giant Kills Minimarkets’.

Bazeer Ahmed, the adviser to Mawar, said that local families are losing their livelihood to the big chains, which through their capacity to buy in bulk, are pushing the small traders out of business.

Bazeer also said that the chains would be bad for the community in the long run.

Their presence will increase the rental price of shoplots as they are willing to rent a shoplot at a price higher than others, he claimed.

“In the initial stage, the prices of their goods are quite cheap but when all the other small grocery stores close, they would monopolise the business,” he warned.

Special bulk centre mooted

The group wanted the government to allocate funds for a special centre that would buy in bulk and support local small retailers so that they could compete with the chains.

NONE PAS’ Shah Alam MP Khalid Abdul Samad ( centre in photo ) was present to meet the group and hear their concerns.

“There is a need for some balance - the existing shops and families should be protected and supported, but at the same time we can’t stop progress,” he said.

Khalid said he had contacted Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Minister Hassan Malek and the minister is willing to meet the group.

He urged them to make an appointment with the minister.