UMNO Youth chief Muhamad Akmal Saleh has taken a swipe at the government’s Madani Mart initiative, pointing out its similarities to the former Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia introduced during the Barisan Nasional era.
In a statement, Akmal said the concept now being implemented appears to mirror earlier policies that were once criticised by the opposition, but are now being revived under the current administration.
He also suggested that the government consider reintroducing the Goods and Services Tax, arguing that it could benefit the country’s economic stability.
“Congratulations to the previous government, as its good ideas and policies are being continued today despite earlier criticism,” he said, adding that even a rebranded version of GST could be considered under the current framework.
The remarks came after Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim officially launched the first Madani Mart outlet at Indera Mahkota 8.
The Madani Mart initiative, spearheaded by Yayasan Madani, is part of the government’s broader effort to address the rising cost of living and improve public welfare.
Akmal stressed that UMNO Youth remains supportive of any initiative that benefits the rakyat, noting that similar efforts such as KR1M were previously criticised despite their intended purpose.
He added that while political narratives may change, policies that bring tangible benefits to the public should continue to be supported regardless of their origin.
