MCA Youth wishes to raise two serious concerns over claims by Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Fuziah Salleh that Madani Mart is operated by Yayasan Madani without using government funds. The key issue is not whether public funds are utilised, but who controls the system and whether conflicts of interest exist.

According to available information, Yayasan Madani is chaired by the Deputy Minister herself, while its founders and directors are political secretaries to Prime Minister Dato’ Seri  Anwar Ibrahim. One serves in his capacity as Prime Minister, while the other is linked to his role as Minister of Finance.

How can such a Foundation be regarded as an independent body when its leadership is so closely tied to the government’s top political figures? This overlap raises clear concerns about the concentration of power, potential conflicts of interest, and a lack of transparency in decision-making.

This is not a typical civil society initiative. It is a platform closely connected to key government figures, yet it is implementing nationwide cost-of-living programmes. More puzzling is how a foundation established less than three years ago has reportedly rolled out hundreds of community supermarkets across the country in such a short time.

Without government funding, how has this rapid expansion been achieved? Without proper disclosure, what resources are being relied upon, and who is supporting these efforts behind the scenes?

MCA Youth’s review of the Foundation’s official website shows no clear explanation of its operational model, funding sources, or how funds are utilised. A project that affects the national supply of essential goods must be fully transparent. Without subsidies or proper disclosure mechanisms, the operational model of Madani Mart appears contradictory.

If there is truly no government support, which businesses would willingly participate in a system that imposes franchise fees while restricting supply channels? If the commercial logic is unclear, public suspicion of hidden arrangements is inevitable.

The core issue is whether public resources and market space are being managed within a structure controlled by a specific political circle. When policy, resources, and appointments are concentrated in the same hands, transparency becomes essential.

MCA Youth urges the government to answer these questions directly instead of repeatedly asserting that no public funds were used. If there is nothing to hide, then disclose the funding sources, appointment processes, and operational mechanisms of Yayasan Madani. Public confidence can be restored with a clear, transparent explanation free from any conflict of interest.

Saw Yee Fung
MCA Youth Secretary General

6 April 2026

-MCA Comm-