The government wants to review the management of shopping malls owned by Government Linked Companies (GLC) to ensure they are managed by local companies so that bumiputera traders can also conduct businesses at these malls.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this was because bumiputera traders were unable to afford business spaces at malls, even at GLC-owned malls, due to high rental rates and tough competition.

The government has noted that ownership of business spaces at prestigious shopping malls and major tourist destinations among bumiputera traders were still low.

Ismail Sabri said the matter was decided at the Bumiputera Prosperity Council meeting which he chaired via video conferencing to discuss efforts to empower and strengthen the socio-economic development of bumiputeras.

The Prime Minister said the meeting also proposed for the quota of bumiputera-owned business premises at strategic locations be fixed in line with the effort to increase competitiveness and strengthen the bumiputera economy.

However, he said, the quota will be managed in a fair and transparent manner so that the main objective to help qualified and high potential bumiputera businesses will be achieved.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE