This turnover, he said, proved wrong the cynics who said that the Mara Digital Mall would not last long.

“It (sales) is an encouraging amount. We also found tenants, who were given six months free rental, continuing their business, meaning the market is good,” he told reporters after visiting the mall at the Mara Building here today.

He said the sales included RM1.02 million made by traders at the Anggerik Mall in Shah Alam, which was opened six months ago.

The Mara Digital Mall in Kuala Lumpur was launched on Dec 8 last year and now has 38 business lots belonging to 27 entrepreneurs.

Ismail Sabri said five more such malls were scheduled to be opened next year, namely at Bangunan Air Melaka in Malacca; Plaza Paya Bunga in Kuala Terengganu; Plaza Larkin in Johor Bahru; Bangunan Mara in Kuantan and in Kota Bahru, Kelantan.

“Our target is for every state to have at least one digital mall by the end of next year,” he added.

Meanwhile, in BANDAR SRI JEMPOL, Ismail Sabri said the quality of Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) students would be maintained although the requirement for entry into college was relaxed.

The presence of quality teachers at the college would ensure the students’ performance would not be affected, he said during the presentation of school aid for the 2017 session.

He said the condition for entry into MRSM was relaxed to allow more students from hardcore poor families and in the rural areas to study there.

“For students who are orphans, from hardcore poor families, whose parents are people with disabilities, or Orang Asli, the entry conditions have been relaxed,’ he added.

A total of 1,256 students in the Jempol district received the aid, contributed by Jempol Education and Welfare Foundation, Jempol Umno and ESPEK Sdn Bhd.