Anwar Ibrahim allocates RM1 million to support Malaysian hawkers and small traders

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has announced a RM1 million allocation to the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) to support hawker and small trader associations across Malaysia. The funds aim to strengthen national associations in coordinating aid and programs at the state level to increase the income of traders.

Speaking at the National Hawker and Small Trader Day Carnival 2026, the Prime Minister acknowledged that current government assistance remains insufficient to boost incomes and facilitate financing access. He called for simplified loan application procedures to assist those reliant on daily earnings and requested KUSKOP to collaborate with associations to track income trends and measure the effectiveness of government initiatives.

Separately, KUSKOP Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong reported that the ministry has channeled RM10.7 billion in financing to nearly 300,000 entrepreneurs between January and September this year. This includes RM3.14 billion in microcredit financing benefiting approximately 200,000 hawkers, small traders, and retailers. To prevent traders from turning to unlicensed moneylenders, Sim directed agencies to provide responses to financing applications under RM20,000 within 24 hours.