THE Malakat Mall is a Muslim shopping centre in Cyberjaya slowly getting visitors back since Covid-19 restrictions were eased in April.

The mall’s management admits that the reception so far is “lukewarm”, but the situation is getting better.

Malakat Mall chief operating officer (COO) Muhammad Ash Shahid said there is an increase in sales.

“We are looking at next year when the real journey begins. Previously in the retail section, revenue collection was RM2 million a year, but this year, as of August, sales have exceeded that.

“This does not even include the food and supermarket sections.

“Last year, many shops did not open, but this year many shops have opened and there is an upward momentum,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Ash, 30, is responsible for managing the retail division, which includes outlets selling clothing, sports products and general merchandise.

He said that all of the brands are designed or purchased by Malakat Mall, most of which are manufactured in China.

“So far there are about 15 branded shops at Malakat Mall, compared to eight at launch on March 13, 2020,” he said.

Ash supervises about 20 staff, who are paid around RM1,500 a month.

“Malakat Mall is gradually picking up. We will take time to recover.”

He said that their main competitor is D’Pluze mall, next door.

“D’Pulze has entertainment, such as bowling centres and cinemas, but we do not,” he said, adding that during the MCO none of the 50 outlets in Malakat Mall were closed.

In fact, he said, during the pandemic they never laid off any employees despite not recording sales.

Business without rent

Ash also said rent is based on revenue sharing, so that traders are not burdened with monthly payments and make their business sustainable.

The concept, he said, helps traders in Malakat Mall, who are mostly Malay entrepreneurs new to business.

“Many don’t know that there is no rental, instead they share 20% of their revenue.

“Say their sales is RM100,000, the retailer only pays RM20,000.”

During the MCO, he did not collect any payment from the traders, while the management still had to pay rent to the owner.

“We did not collect anything in eight months of the MCO. Malakat Mall manages the rent payment with the building owner.

“It was also quite difficult during the MCO. There was no one to help us, to take care of us until today. Many big brands were closed (at that time) and we only started four days when the MCO was enforced,” he said.

Non-Muslim brands welcome

Ash also said the shopping centre was created for Malay and Muslim traders, but did not prevent any non-Muslim brands from setting up shop.

“Our intention is to promote Muslim goods if possible, because we know the movement of products, from the beginning to the end.

“We are not stopping non-Muslims from placing products, there are also their products here, but Malakat Mall was established to control about 60% of the products.

“We can control 1% to 2% of products only for Malays and Muslims to strengthen their economy,” he said.

In fact, he said, the management also holds discussions with big brands for them to open their stores.

“In the Malakat Grocer supermarket, you can also see food produced by non-Malays and non-bumiputera companies that are often found in other supermarkets.

“Around 20% to 30% of the products sold are also local products of small and medium industries (SMEs) produced by Bumiputera and Muslim entrepreneurs.

“We are fighting for a campaign to buy Muslim goods but there are also other products here,” he said.

Traders confident in getting more business

Despite the lack of response from visitors, traders at Malakat Mall are confident that they can survive.

Muhammad Hadrami Mustafa, from Johor often visits the mall to get wet goods and food products from the supermarket.

He heard about Malakat Mall before moving to Cyberjaya during the pandemic about two years ago.

“We heard that Malakat Mall is owned by Muslims. We visit the wet section, in search of halal food, which are fresh and the prices reasonable.

“They also supply fresh local meat and it is supplied by co-operatives. They also open opportunities for livestock entrepreneurs,” he said.

Hadrami now has the opportunity to open his own premises in Malakat Mall and offer alternative medical treatment services, such as cupping and massage.

“The community that supports Malakat Mall is there. Sales are still there even though there aren’t many people.

“Prosperity doesn’t come because there are many visitors. If they don’t make purchases, it’s useless,” he said.

“I have some experience participating in the expo and I am excited to be with Malakat Mall. In the beginning of the negotiations they invited traders.

“They do not collect rent but take a cut of the sales revenue, the system does not burden entrepreneurs who are starting their business,” he said.

Malakat Mall also organises an open bazaar, and traders can set up stalls in the mall grounds and do business for free for two days.

Another trader, Sanib Ahmad, who runs a tailoring business that has only been operating for three months at Malakat Mall sees his business slowly growing.

The former security guard started his business just before Ramadan and said the response from visitors is encouraging during the weekends or if there is a big event held at the shopping centre.

“There are a lot of visitors on weekends, but less people on weekdays, probably because of work.

“When there is a big event there are many visitors, but it seems that there are less people probably because of the lack of promotion,” Sanib said, adding that he only pays about RM50 a month to the mall. – August 19, 2022.