KUALA LUMPUR • Malaysia's best-known electronic goods mall, Low Yat Plaza, could soon have a twin, following a suggestion from Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Sabri Yakoob.

Mr Ismail Sabri had suggested that "Low Yat 2" could be established on the third floor of the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) headquarters on Jalan Raja Laut in Kuala Lumpur.

The minister also said that "Low Yat 2" could be dedicated to Malay traders in particular.

"We will prepare the floor as soon as possible and we will give space to Malay traders, particularly," he said.

"We will turn it into 'Low Yat 2', and we will gather as many big suppliers as possible at this building."

Mr Ismail Sabri was speaking after attending the Mara open house in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, reported Malaysiakini, quoting the Astro Awani news portal.

The minister said that while there could be competing suppliers, he believed this would benefit the public, as they could make direct purchases from the suppliers.

However, he acknowledged that having Malay traders exclusively on the new premises might not be entirely feasible.

"Our target is 100 per cent Malay traders. (But) there has never been a supplier from the Malays, so we will give some leeway," said Mr Ismail Sabri.

He also said that "Low Yat 2" would fulfil the needs of people that earlier had to rely on Low Yat Plaza to procure electronic gadgets and other items.

Low Yat Plaza has been in the news recently following a mobile phone theft last month that escalated into a riot, with discussions about the incident online taking on racial overtones.