KUALA LUMPUR: The hike in the rental price for Ramadan bazaar sites has affected traders’ operation costs, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said the increased fees are particularly challenging for traders who use agents instead of dealing directly with the local authorities.
“In the end, the trader does not rent directly from the local authorities, so the cost increases,” he said during the Ministers’ Question Time in Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (March 26).
Anwar said this in response to an additional question from Kota Bharu MP Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, who asked about plans to mitigate the hike in Ramadan bazaar operational costs following the increase in the sales and service tax (SST).
It cannot be denied that "big companies" (agents) take advantage of the situation, resulting in increased costs for traders, Anwar emphasised.
He added that the government will continue to monitor the situation faced by Ramadan traders.
"In my opinion, the municipality has no reason to charge high rents for Ramadan bazaars," he added."
