SEEK PUBLIC FEEDBACK BEFORE SAYING AYE TO FOREIGN HYPERMARKETS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- State governments and local authorities
have been urged to seek public feedback before lending support to the opening up
of foreign hypermarkets in the country.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir Abdul Samad said
applications by those wanting to operate foreign hypermarkets should be
considered based on suitability and needs.

"The ministry will not support the applications to open foreign
hypermarkets
if there are objections from local authorities or state governments.

In Kluang, a proposal to open a foreign hypermarket had to be turned down
after we received views from the grassroots," he said when winding-up debate on
Budget 2009 for his ministry at committee stage in Lower House of Parliament
Wednesday.

Kluang is a town and district located roughly in the middle of the southern
state of Johor in Malaysia.

Shahrir said the ministry only controlled the issuance of approval for
foreign hypermarkets and not local ones.

The issuance of operating licence to local hypermarkets like Mydin and The
Store were based on the approval given by local authorities or city
councils.

"There are some 100 hypermarkets in the country with a ratio of 1:250,000
people in certain areas. Hypermarkets are more suitable in urban areas," he
added.

The Parliament session continues Thursday.

-- BERNAMA