Govt urged to pay more attention to plight of hawkers, traders in Budget 2021

JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor Bahru Malay Hawkers, Traders and Small Business Entrepreneurs Association has asked the government to pay more attention to the plight of hawkers and small traders in the Budget 2021 presentation today.

Its secretary, Mohammad Salezan Mohd Salleh said the call was made after considering that the majority of new and small traders were those who had lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Due to COVID-19, many people were laid off, causing them to start small-scale businesses at home to support their livelihoods.

"Their presence is like mushrooms growing after rain. Therefore, the government's focus on this group is important to ensure that they can continue to survive," he said when contacted by Bernama yesterday.

Mohammad Salezan added that the government should not only address the financing needs but also deal with the bureaucracy involving granting of business licences, as well as providing a reduction in rental rates for business premises owned by local authorities.

He said several economic stimulus packages announced by the government previously had helped the economic sector survive during the implementation of the Movement Control Order.

However, he said there were still a handful of hawkers and small traders who did not receive the assistance provided due to documentation issues and bureaucracy, among others.

-- BERNAMA