Anwar announces RM1mil allocation to aid hawkers, small traders

KAJANG: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has allocated RM1 million to the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives to coordinate assistance for associations, hawkers and small traders to help boost their income.

He said the allocation took into account the hundreds of thousands of hawkers, small traders and associations operating nationwide.

"Initially, I thought of announcing RM100,000, which is already a significant amount, but then I considered that there are hundreds of thousands of hawkers, businesses, stalls and associations across the country, so let us manage this properly.

"(The government) is providing assistance so that every year we see an increase in the income of hawkers and traders," he said at the closing ceremony of the national-level Hawkers and Small Traders Day Carnival 2026.

Also present were Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim, Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.

Also in attendance was Federation of Malay Hawkers and Small Traders Associations of Malaysia (GPPPKMM) president Datuk Zainal Abidin Abd Majid.

The allocation comes amid the government's efforts to help low-income earners, including hawkers and small traders, increase their income. -- BERNAMA