Cheap veggies and eggs, anyone?
Last week former economy minister Rafizi Ramli caused a stir after claiming that the opening of Madani Mart retail stores by Yayasan Madani is bound to raise several serious concerns; he then went on to highlight the composition of its Board of Trustees which comprised Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Fuziah Salleh; Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's political secretary Farhan Fauzi; and Kamil Munim, Anwar's political secretary in his role as finance minister.
Incidentally, the Madani Mart initiative was officially launched on April 3 by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim with the opening of its first outlet in Kuantan. He stressed that it was part of the Madani government's efforts to help mitigate the rising living costs and support the well-being of families across the nation.
Meanwhile, Fuziah – one of the prominent trustees of the foundation – has shot down allegations that the Madani Mart project was a carbon copy of Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M), which was introduced by former premier Najib Abdul Razak back in 2011. She also stressed that the government did not provide any capital for the recent opening of its inaugural outlet.
For the record, the start up cost for each Madani Mart store is reportedly maximum RM420,000, which included a one-time RM30,000 licensing fee.
Yet, despite all the assurances given, and the fact that the intention seems noble and timely in preparing the people for the looming spike in the price of goods, this latest initiative by the Madani administration has certainly raised a slew of questions.
Shades of political connection?
No doubt, the immediate red flag that critics will raise is the lineup of the foundation's Board of Trustees – comprising a senior PKR leader and two of Anwar’s political secretaries (from the PMO and the Finance Ministry). That alone would have raised the eyebrows of even loyal Pakatan Harapan supporters – long conditioned to opposing anything that resembled the alleged cronyism and patronage politics of bygone eras.
Furthermore, at a time when austerity measures are being floated by the current government in the face of the ongoing US-Iran conflict – won't allegations of “political appointees” drawing salaries and allowances from taxpayers' money, if proven true, draw accusations of hypocrisy and double standards?
In politics, isn't perception often a defining factor?
Truth be told, given the fate of KR1M and other similar government initiatives in the past, shouldn't it dawn on those presently in power that when a new government takes over, such “pet projects” tend to go down the drain – along with millions in public funds – without anyone being hauled up and held accountable?
Meanwhile, from a business perspective, questions will also be asked as to how a government-linked foundation hopes to compete with established giants such as 99 Speedmart, KK Mart, or Mydin – all managed hands-on by seasoned, savvy corporate entrepreneurs who are fully focussed on their business?
Moreover, would using a yayasan (foundation) to “run” a large-scale commercial enterprise nationwide be deemed a wise strategy? Wouldn't there be a perceived risk of potential financial mismanagement since it may not come under the kind of rigorous audit scrutiny that large business corporations are normally subjected to?
Understandably, all this could spark a deeper concern: if these businesses fail, will the government be compelled to use taxpayers' money to cushion the losses – or even bail them out?
A double-edged sword?
True, the Madani Mart project may be designed and touted to be a people-centric project to help the needy rakyat, but wouldn't its presence, to some extent, affect the operations of some long-established, small-time businesses, especially in the kampungs (rural areas) – possibly even “forcing” some to fold up?
In fact, what some well-meaning people may suggest is: if the goal is to help the poorer segment of society, is it not advisable to advance cash aid to them directly, without being bogged down by red tape and all the administrative and logistical headaches – as well as the risk of business failure? After all, what are the chances that a socialist-style experiment could actually survive in a vibrant and unforgiving capitalist ecosystem?
Ironically, even from a political angle, this latest initiative by the Madani administration may prompt critics to pose the embarrassing question: has PH now absorbed the very DNA it once despised during the much-maligned BN-UMNO era – the alleged mixing of business interests with governance of the country?
The dual-hat scourge!
In reality, when people go to the polls, it is usually in the hope of voting in a government that is fully tuned in to managing the country well – and to elect politicians who are willing to be dedicated, full-time administrators. In that context, could cynics be faulted if they were to ask mockingly: are politicians now elected to serve the people – while at the same time oversee government grocery stores?
Ultimately, given all the noise and skepticism over the viability of this latest government initiative, at a broader level, wouldn't some concerned citizens also wonder: is this yet another reason why the hands that lead a nation should never be the same hands that control its coffers?
Main information source: Malaysiakini and NST.
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