Ninja Mart expands support for traditional retailers amid evolving retail landscape

 

NINJA Mart is strengthening support for Malaysia’s traditional retail sector through a hybrid model that combines digital tools, logistics capabilities and on-the-ground assistance, as neighbourhood grocery stores continue to play an important role in communities nationwide.

The business-to-business (B2B) distribution platform currently supports more than 16,000 active retail outlets across general trade, modern trade, petrol marts and hospitality channels, helping brands expand their reach while simplifying day-to-day operations for retailers.

Speaking during a media session at Al-Amin Fresh Mart in Kampung Kuantan, Klang, Ninja Mart Malaysia country head Denise Ang said traditional retailers remain an important part of the country’s retail ecosystem despite growing competition from modern retail formats and e-commerce platforms.

“The future of general trade will depend on practical solutions that reflect how traditional retailers actually operate,” she said.

“Kedai runcit owners are more than just retailers. They are part of the communities they serve and understand the daily needs of their customers in a way that is deeply local and relationship-driven.”

According to Ang, brands face challenges in reaching and servicing Malaysia’s highly fragmented retail landscape, which comprises thousands of independently operated stores across urban, suburban and rural communities.

For retailers, meanwhile, common operational challenges include managing inventory, coordinating deliveries, handling returns and maintaining product availability while operating with limited resources.

Ninja Mart’s platform combines app-based ordering, sales support, logistics services and field teams to help retailers manage product sourcing, delivery coordination, enquiries, returns and claims.

Ang said the company’s approach aims to address the needs of both brands and retailers.

“For brands, the challenge is not just about reaching more stores. It is about reaching them consistently, efficiently and with better visibility,” she continued.

“For retailers, the need is more practical — easier ordering, reliable support, access to relevant products and help in managing everyday store operations.”

The initiative comes as Malaysia’s retail sector continues to grow. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, retail trade sales reached RM71 billion in April 2026, representing a 6.3% year-on-year increase.

Government initiatives such as Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA), which aims to expand participation among small grocery retailers to 10,000 outlets by the end of 2026, have also reinforced the role of neighbourhood stores in providing access to essential goods.

As consumer behaviour and retail channels continue to evolve, Ninja Mart said traditional retailers will remain a key component of Malaysia’s retail landscape, particularly in communities where convenience, proximity and trust continue to influence purchasing decisions. ‒  Focus  Malaysia

More than cars: Lessons in loyalty from Malaysia’s motoring pioneers

 

I READ with interest reports that Federal Auto Holdings Bhd (FAHB) is celebrating its 66th anniversary this month with special promotions for Volvo buyers, including discounts and opportunities to win holiday packages to beach resorts around Malaysia.

The milestone brought back memories of my early years in Malaysia’s automotive industry, at a time when many of the country’s pioneering vehicle distributors were laying the foundations for what would become a major sector of the economy.

Federal Auto Company Limited was established in Penang in 1960 as the sole distributor of Volvo vehicles in Peninsular Malaysia. In 1967, it partnered with AB Volvo to establish one of the country’s earliest vehicle assembly operations in Shah Alam.

A former classmate joined Swedish Motor Assemblies Sdn Bhd shortly after finishing secondary school in 1968.

He spent his entire career with the company and retired decades later with a brand-new Volvo as a farewell gift, a testament to the loyalty that once characterised many employer-employee relationships.

My own association with Federal Auto began in 1969 when I worked at its workshop and parts centre along Old Klang Road. Before that, I had spent two months as an apprentice at Champion Motors, then the sole distributor of Volkswagen, Audi and Rover vehicles in Malaysia.

Looking back, changing jobs may have saved my life.

Champion Motors’ showroom was located along Jalan Campbell, now Jalan Dang Wangi, an area that became one of the focal points during the May 13 riots in 1969.

Had I remained there, I might have found myself caught up in the violence. Instead, I was working at Old Klang Road and living with colleagues in a nearby terrace house.

Later that year, I joined Tan Chong & Sons Motor Co Ltd as a workshop receptionist. Having completed a diploma in automobile engineering through distance learning with the British Institute of Engineering Technology, I was determined to build a career in the automotive sector.

In those days, salaries were modest, but opportunities were plentiful. Tan Chong’s workshop then operated from a large shed behind its Jalan Ipoh headquarters before later relocating to Segambut as its assembly operations expanded.

In 1973, I moved to a wholly owned subsidiary of Tan Chong Motor Holdings Berhad and spent the next 19 years in the tourism industry. Even after leaving the company, the relationships forged over the years endured.

These experiences remind me that the success of long-established companies is built not only on products and brands, but also on the people who contribute to their growth over decades.

Employees, customers and business partners all play a role in shaping a company’s reputation and legacy.

As Federal Auto celebrates 66 years in business, it has an opportunity to recognise not only current customers but also the generations of staff and loyal supporters who helped build the company over the years.

In an increasingly competitive marketplace, heritage remains a valuable asset. Companies that remember their history, appreciate loyalty and maintain meaningful relationships with customers and employees are often the ones that leave the most lasting legacy. 

YS Chan is a tourism, transport and training consultant.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT. 

- Focus Malaysia

If Malaysia is one nation, why has there never been an East Malaysian prime minister?

 

WHEN I first realised that no Sabahan or Sarawakian has ever become Malaysia’s prime minister, I paused to reflect.

There is no constitutional provision preventing it. Yet more than six decades after the formation of Malaysia, the country’s highest political office has remained firmly in Peninsular Malaysia.

This is not a question of entitlement or regional favouritism. Rather, it is a question worth asking in a federation that prides itself on unity and partnership.

Sabah and Sarawak are often described as equal partners in the Malaysian federation. Both states have contributed significantly to the nation’s development through their natural resources, economic activities and strategic importance.

Their Members of Parliament (MPs) have also become increasingly influential in recent years, often playing a decisive role in determining which coalition forms the federal government.

Every election cycle, political leaders travel to Kota Kinabalu and Kuching seeking support. Following closely contested elections, East Malaysian parties frequently emerge as key players in coalition negotiations.

Yet while leaders from Sabah and Sarawak may help decide who becomes prime minister, none has ever held the office themselves.

To be clear, this is not an argument that Malaysia should have an East Malaysian prime minister simply for the sake of geography. Leadership positions should be earned through competence, experience and the confidence of Parliament, not allocated according to region.

However, the absence of any prime minister from Sabah or Sarawak after more than 60 years naturally invites reflection. Is it merely a coincidence of political circumstances, or does it reflect deeper assumptions about who is considered suitable to lead the nation?

A mature democracy should be open to leadership from every part of the country. A capable and respected leader from Kota Kinabalu or Kuching should be judged by the same standards as a leader from Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru or Penang.

This matters because representation is about more than symbolism. It shapes how citizens view their place within the nation.

Young Malaysians in Sabah and Sarawak are told that opportunities should be available to all regardless of where they come from. The same principle should apply to political leadership.

Malaysia often speaks of national unity, shared destiny and equal partnership. These ideals are important, but they must be reflected not only in speeches and celebrations, but also in the opportunities available within the country’s political system.

Perhaps the more relevant question is not whether Malaysia should have an East Malaysian prime minister. It is whether Malaysians are prepared to consider one when the right candidate emerges.

If Sabah and Sarawak are truly equal partners in the federation, then no political office should be regarded as permanently beyond the reach of their citizens. Leadership should ultimately be determined by merit, capability and parliamentary support, not by geography.

More than six decades after Malaysia’s formation, that is a conversation worth having. 

KT Maran is a Focus Malaysia viewer.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT

- Focus Malaysia.

MCA: Healthcare costs must not spiral as more Malaysians turn to public hospitals

 

AN MCA leader has warned that rising private healthcare costs and medical insurance premiums could place greater strain on Malaysia’s public healthcare system as more patients turn to government hospitals for treatment.

MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon’s remarks came after Deputy Health Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib recently stated that public hospitals cannot shoulder the country’s healthcare needs alone, underscoring the importance of cooperation between the public and private healthcare sectors.

While agreeing that both sectors have a role to play, Dr Mah said this should not be used to justify unchecked increases in private hospital charges or insurance premiums.

“Private healthcare providers play an important role in supporting national healthcare capacity, but healthcare must remain patient-centred. Profit considerations cannot come at the expense of affordability, transparency and access to treatment,” he remarked.

He noted that escalating treatment costs and insurance premiums were already driving more Malaysians to seek medical care at government hospitals, adding that this trend would continue to increase pressure on public healthcare facilities if left unaddressed.

Dr Mah also referenced concerns previously raised by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which found instances where private hospital patients were billed separately for basic items such as alcohol swabs, pillowcases and plastic waste-bin liners, particularly for patients using guarantee letters (GLs) from insurers.

“Such practices raise serious concerns over fairness and transparency. Patients should not be burdened with unclear or unexpected charges, especially when seeking treatment during vulnerable moments,” he added.

At the same time, Dr Mah said the Health Ministry (MOH) would require stronger support and resources to cope with rising demand for specialist services, hospital facilities and healthcare manpower.

He welcomed the increase in healthcare funding from RM45.3 bil in Budget 2025 to RM46.5 bil in Budget 2026, but said further investment was needed to upgrade hospitals, modernise equipment, retain healthcare professionals and reduce waiting times.

“A sustainable healthcare system requires shared responsibility. The government cannot expect public hospitals to absorb rising demand indefinitely while private healthcare costs continue to soar unchecked,” he continued.

To address the issue, Dr Mah proposed several measures, including stronger regulation of private healthcare charges through clearer cost disclosures before treatment, closer scrutiny of insurance premium increases, tighter oversight of hospital billing practices, expanded public-private healthcare partnerships and greater investment in preventive healthcare and primary care.

“Healthcare should not become an area where patients are forced to choose between financial hardship and receiving necessary treatment,” he emphasised.

“Affordability, transparency, accountability and patient welfare must remain at the centre of Malaysia’s healthcare system.” ‒  Focus Malaysia

“Please answer,” said Nga Kor Ming, revealing unfulfilled BN 2022 promises

 

WITH campaigning entering a crucial phase, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has loaded his metaphorical gun with ammunition.

These were composed of no other than the pledges made by BN in the 2022 manifesto.

In a social media post, the DAP vice-chairman gave Johor voters a fiery reminder in the form of an elaborate infographic, displaying the many pledges made which were either partially fulfilled or never implemented.

Foremost among them was the promise of RM150 assistance for every primary and secondary school students from families earning between RM3,001 and RM7,000. 

According to Nga, the aid was eventually limited only to students with disabilities , leaving the majority of eligible recipients out in the cold.

Another pledge under scrutiny was BN’s commitment to provide RM500 to all B40 university students in Johor. Nga claimed beneficiaries ultimately received only RM200, well below the amount promised in the manifesto.

He also highlighted welfare assistance, pointing to BN’s pledge to increase general welfare aid under the Social Welfare Department to RM500. Instead, he alleged that recipients under the Johor Kasih programme received only RM200.

The list goes on. But with all that shots fired, do not expect netizens from the opposition to allow it to go unchallenged.

“You don’t want to share the ones that PH failed to implement, right?” said @fauzimz.

“We don’t want DAP communists,” said @hairol_hassan.

“It is okay to fail as long as not DAP,” pointed out an adamant @Mattaiyub141552.

The photo comments are equally biting:

Interestingly, the friends of DAP have their weapons too:

Where  politics is concerned, anyone could argue about being left or right for the rest of eternity. As polling day draws nearer, expect even more manifestos to be resurrected from the political archives. 

After all, in election season, nothing ever truly disappears. It merely waits patiently in someone’s screenshot folder. The rest of course is decided by the voters.— Focus Malaysia