Anwar pledges RM1m boost for hawkers and urges an end to tedious loan paperwork

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has allocated RM1 million to the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives to support hawkers, small traders, and associations in boosting their incomes. This substantial sum takes into account the hundreds of thousands of hawkers, businesses, and stalls operating nationwide. Initially considering an allocation of RM100,000, Anwar now believes that managing this larger sum will be more effective in addressing the needs of these businesses.

During his speech at the closing ceremony of the national-level Hawkers and Small Traders Day Carnival 2026, Anwar emphasized the importance of improving the lives of hawkers, who often struggle financially and live hand-to-mouth. He urged the relevant authorities to streamline the loan application process, as filling out extensive paperwork is burdensome for these individuals.

Anwar also tasked Steven Sim, the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister, with gathering data on income growth and average earnings of hawkers and small traders over the past three years. This information will help identify areas for improvement and ensure that assistance is effectively targeted. Additionally, Anwar urged hawkers to maintain cleanliness and presentability of their stalls, noting that a significant majority of the population prefers to eat at street stalls and food outlets.

As Prime Minister for the past four years, Anwar has made a point of visiting food stalls during Friday prayers to demonstrate his support for small businesses and traders. He believes that a clean environment and well-maintained roofs are essential for the success and reputation of these establishments.