Madani Mart's licensing scheme will require those interested in setting up an outlet to pay licensing fees and royalties to Yayasan Madani - a foundation with strong links to the corridors of power.
The foundation was co-founded by Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah Salleh - who is also the chairperson - together with aides to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Kamil Abdul Munim and Ahmad Farhan Fauzi. The trio are the only listed trustees of the foundation.
According to an FAQ the foundation released, the licensing fees and royalties are reciprocation for training, support, performance monitoring, system management, and supply chain development that Yayasan Madani will provide to Madani Mart licensees.
How much the foundation is charging for licence fees and royalties was not disclosed.
Yayasan Madani's financial statements are also not public as of writing. The foundation was established in March 2024.
When contacted, Kamil said that the foundation will be releasing a statement answering questions regarding the licence fees and royalties, as well as related questions.
Malaysiakini has also contacted Fuziah for comment.
Madani Mart seeks to establish a chain of 640 stores across the country, selling goods at "rahmah" (friendly) prices. The first outlet launched by Anwar on Friday is in Kuantan - Fuziah's former parliamentary seat.
Fuziah has assured that no government funds will be involved in Madani Mart.
However, it will involve "strategic collaboration" between the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, licence holders, and Yayasan Madani.
The foundation said the marts also seek to support public initiatives, including the government's Rahmah Sales programme.
Compulsory standardised items
The FAQ also stated that licensees are required to come up with 100 percent of the capital needed to establish an outlet.
Yayasan Madani will dictate 50 percent of inventory that all Madani Mart outlets must carry to ensure uniformity in goods supplied to the public.
The compulsory items will be sourced from a distribution centre, which the foundation said will keep prices stable and reasonable.
On the Madani Mart website, the list of compulsory items includes rice, cooking oil, flour, sugar, instant noodles, 3-in-1 coffee, bread, canned food, eggs, bottled drinking water, soft drinks, frozen nuggets, sausages, fries, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, laundry and dish detergent.
Operators are allowed to pick their own suppliers for other goods.
Rafizi questions ministry’s involvement
Yesterday, PKR dissident Rafizi Ramli - who has been highly critical of Fuziah - raised concerns about Madani Mart because it involves collaboration with her ministry, which is also responsible for the Rahmah Sales.
"Rahmah Sales involves allocations of hundreds of millions of ringgit annually. Businesses compete intensely to become suppliers because when they sell to the government, they get normal prices, possibly even higher.
“But when the goods are sold to the public, each kilogramme (for example) is subsidised by the government.
“So, when Madani Mart is run by the ministry’s deputy minister (Fuziah), who is responsible for Rahmah Sales, there is a significant risk because that strategic collaboration creates potential issues,” he said. - Mkini
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