MCA, Gerakan hit out at 'Low Yat 2' proposal

PETALING JAYA: Gerakan has condemned a proposal by Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to establish a "Low Yat 2" in Kuala Lumpur exclusively for Malay traders.
In a statement today, its president Datuk Mah Siew Keong criticised the proposal as divisive and said that leaders should focus on more pressing issues like the depreciation of the ringgit.
Ismail Sabri had on Aug 11 suggested that a "Low Yat 2" be established at the third floor of the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) headquarters to rival Low Yat Plaza, which is Malaysia's best known electronic goods mall.
"I regret his statement to establish the IT retail centre solely for Malay traders. I am disappointed that he again failed to understand the need for reconciliation after the highly-charged incident in Low Yat Plaza last month.
"He should endeavour towards improving racial ties and social integration instead of proposing non-constructive ideas that could distract the nation from its real and pressing issues," he said.
Mah, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, urged leaders to not dwell on insignificant topics and focus on the economic challenges that the country is currently facing.
In JOHOR BARU, MCA deputy president Datuk Wee Ka Siong also expressed his disagreement with Ismail Sabri's suggestion.
"I have no objection for Mara to open an IT mall for Malay traders, but if you use the name 'Low Yat 2', it seems like you are specially referring to the Plaza Low Yat incident recently," he said after officiating the SAME (Secretariat for the Advancement of Malaysian Entrepreneurs) roadshow at Johor Jaya Community Hall, Johor Jaya, today.
"In reality, as a smart consumer, we only go for cheap and good service, who cares about the race of the trader? Businessmen are also the same, they try to get as many customers as possible," he said.