KAJANG: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants the incomes of hawkers and petty traders to be assessed against their earnings three years ago to determine whether government assistance has improved their livelihoods.
Anwar said Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim could work with hawker and petty trader associations to determine how much their average earnings had increased and identify shortcomings in existing support measures.
“I want to know, for example, the average income of hawkers and traders three years ago compared with this year. How much has it increased? This is how we should evaluate our efforts,” Anwar said in his speech at the closing ceremony of the 2026 National Hawkers and Small Traders Day today.
Anwar also announced an allocation of RM1 million to the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry to coordinate assistance for hawker and petty trader associations, stressing that the funds must be managed properly to help traders increase their earnings.
He said he remained dissatisfied with their circumstances, noting that many lived hand to mouth and that spending a day at an office filling in loan applications was itself a burden.
On facilities, Anwar recalled telling the Kuala Lumpur mayor that the city should be known for more than its landmarks, skyscrapers and large hotels.
“I want the stalls and hawker premises to be clean and attractive because the majority of people, 80 to 85 per cent, eat at stalls and warung.
“Hawkers do not own big companies but they are the people’s heroes. They help improve people’s economic circumstances, support their families and generate economic activity,” he added.