PUTRAJAYA, May 5 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has directed that rental rates for premises under all Federal government agencies be reduced starting this month to help small traders lower their operating costs.
He said the measure is part of the government’s efforts to assist traders and hawkers affected by the ongoing global supply crisis.
“Most of these shops are owned by companies or government agencies such as MARA (Majlis Amanah Rakyat) and UDA (Holdings Bhd). Beginning this month, rental rates at all their business premises will be reduced, with details to be announced according to the respective districts in the near future,” he said at a Global Supply Crisis press conference here today.
Meanwhile, Anwar said, taking a cue from the initiative by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), which had already lowered rental rates for its premises, he also urged all local authorities (PBTs) nationwide to adopt a similar approach starting this month.
“This falls under the jurisdiction of local authorities and state governments, but I urge that it be implemented immediately to ease the pressure faced by traders and hawkers,” he said.
He said the initiative was agreed upon during the National Economic Action Council (MTEN) meeting after the government took into account complaints from small traders he met recently.
“Last week, before Friday prayers, I visited a stall in Rawang and personally heard the concerns of a trader regarding the rising costs of goods.
“Although the increases may appear small, they occur weekly and eventually have a significant impact on their businesses. I then brought this matter to the MTEN along with other related issues,” he said.
“Most of these shops are owned by companies or government agencies such as MARA (Majlis Amanah Rakyat) and UDA (Holdings Bhd). Beginning this month, rental rates at all their business premises will be reduced, with details to be announced according to the respective districts in the near future,” he said at a Global Supply Crisis press conference here today.
Meanwhile, Anwar said, taking a cue from the initiative by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), which had already lowered rental rates for its premises, he also urged all local authorities (PBTs) nationwide to adopt a similar approach starting this month.
“This falls under the jurisdiction of local authorities and state governments, but I urge that it be implemented immediately to ease the pressure faced by traders and hawkers,” he said.
He said the initiative was agreed upon during the National Economic Action Council (MTEN) meeting after the government took into account complaints from small traders he met recently.
“Last week, before Friday prayers, I visited a stall in Rawang and personally heard the concerns of a trader regarding the rising costs of goods.
“Although the increases may appear small, they occur weekly and eventually have a significant impact on their businesses. I then brought this matter to the MTEN along with other related issues,” he said.