KAJANG: A RM1mil allocation has been provided to help hawkers, small traders and their associations upgrade their businesses and boost their income.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the funds would be channelled through the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry, which would coordinate the assistance for the various groups nationwide.
He said he had initially considered announcing an allocation of RM100,000 but decided to increase it to RM1mil after considering the hundreds of thousands of hawkers, small traders and associations operating across the country.
Speaking at the national-level Hawkers and Small Traders Day Carnival yesterday, he said the government wanted to ensure that the assistance brought steady improvements in the earnings of small traders.
Anwar also urged Malaysians to continue supporting small traders by patronising their food stalls as they play an important role in the daily lives of the public.
He estimated that up to 85% of Malaysians frequented food stalls.
In fact, he said that he would often have lunch at such stalls after Friday prayers to show his support for small businesses.
However, he reminded hawkers to maintain cleanliness and hygiene at their premises to ensure customers’ confidence and continued support.
Also present at the event were Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim, Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Federation of Malay Hawkers and Small Traders Associations of Malaysia president Datuk Zainal Abidin Abd Majid.
