Fuziah, who is deputy minister for domestic trade and cost of living, said Yayasan Madani as the brand owner, manages the ecosystem, including training, systems, pricing and retail analysis supported by artificial intelligence.

She said the model gives entrepreneurs flexibility to run their businesses with supply chain support from Yayasan Madani.

“Yayasan Madani, which is aligned with the government, does not receive government funding and does not provide capital for Madani Mart. Each outlet is privately owned,” she said in response to queries on the Madani Mart initiative, launched yesterday, and claims that it is similar to Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia.

The first Madani Mart outlet was opened yesterday in Indera Mahkota, near Kuantan, Pahang.

Fuziah said the Madani Mart initiative was a community retail concept offering daily necessities at affordable prices, in a strategic approach to meeting the rising cost of living in a more comprehensive and targeted manner without government capital.

She said Madani Mart also provides opportunities for local communities and entrepreneurs to participate in the business.