KPKT urges local councils to cut small traders' rents, commends DBKL’s reductions up to 50%

PETALING JAYA (May 14): The Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) has urged all local authorities (PBTs) nationwide to consider reducing rental rates for business premises, stalls and food courts under their purview until end-2026, as part of efforts to ease the rising cost burden on hawkers and small traders.

KPKT minister Nga Kor Ming (pictured) said the recommendation follows a proposal by the National Economic Action Council (MTEN) for PBTs to offer appropriate rental incentives as an immediate measure to assist traders operating in council-owned or council-managed premises.

"This strategic measure aims to ease the operating cost burden borne by local hawkers and small traders, while at the same time catalysing grassroots-level economic growth," he said in a statement today.

Nga added that the initiative would help ensure business continuity, preserve employment opportunities and stabilise prices of goods and services for consumers.

KPKT commended several PBTs that have already acted, singling out Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), which announced on March 14 rental reductions of up to 50% for more than 10,000 traders across hawker sites and selected premises under its purview, effective April 1 until Dec 31, 2027. 

The ministry said the rental relief measure complements broader government assistance programmes including the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA), and BUDI Madani initiatives — BUDI Diesel and BUDI95 — aimed at channelling targeted subsidies to those most in need.

KPKT said it will continue working closely with all local authorities to determine appropriate implementation methods based on their respective financial capacities and local conditions.

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