'Low Yat 2' issue should not affect relationship between BN component parties

Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob today expressed hope that the issue of the proposed 'Low Yat 2' will not affect the relationship between Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties.

He said with the current political scenario where the party was being jostled by the opposition, all BN component parties should unite and become strong.

"We should not quarrel among ourselves on trivial issues or those in which the meanings have been misconstrued. In terms of party spirit, we should still instill unity, and not afflict each another," he told reporters after meeting with the chairmen and secretaries of village development and security committee from throughout Kedah, here Friday.

Recently, Ismail had suggested that a one-stop centre for mobile phone products and gadgets similar to Low Yat plaza, be opened at the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) building exclusively for Malay and Bumiputera traders.

Yesterday, several media outlets had reported that some MCA leaders had expressed their concern over the suggestion.

Meanwhile, MARA chairman Tan Sri Annuar Musa said the concept of trading communications equipment and electronic gadgets in its building had no racial element involved, and to the contrary wanted to replicate the success of Low Yat Plaza in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.

He said MARA's main objective was to help Bumiputeras in the business by establishing cooperation with distributors, suppliers and telecommunications companies, which comprised people from various races.

He expressed regret that the plan to open the business centre on the third floor of the MARA building here had become a racial polemic, as businesses could not succeed if they were marketed only to one race.

"The MARA building still has space which can be utilised by Bumiputera businessmen to take the opportunity to sell communications equipment and electronic gadgets which can succeed, like the ones carried out in Low Yat Plaza.

“We want to emulate the success of Low Yat Plaza. It is being referred to in a positive manner, that of a successful business model," he told a press conference on Friday.