Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim calls on agencies to engage small traders unaware of government financing and aid.
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged the relevant agencies to intensify ground efforts to provide explanations and assistance to small and medium traders who are still unaware of financing facilities and aid provided by the government.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said the matter was important to ensure the group is not left out from benefiting from the various initiatives created specifically to help increase their income and expand their businesses.
“There are some who are still unaware of the facilities available. So I ask the relevant agencies to go to the ground and provide explanations,” he told reporters after visiting the Taman Melawati Farmers’ Market here today.
He said hawkers and small traders should continue to be given attention, as they number hundreds of thousands but still lack a strong platform to voice their views.
Regarding his visit, Anwar said the feedback he received from hawkers and small traders was generally very positive, with most expressing gratitude for the opportunity to obtain micro-financing facilities provided by the government and its agencies.
“I asked them myself. Most are already very grateful and thankful to the bodies and agencies that helped them, even for a RM10,000 loan,” said the Prime Minister.
Anwar also said most of them were more focused on earning a living than complaining about the challenges they faced.
He said among the issues raised by traders was the relatively high price of certain essential goods they purchased, but the problem could be eased through the role of agencies such as the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority, which helps provide supplies at more affordable prices
“I asked whether there were any problems, whether they could obtain loans and afford repayments. Alhamdulillah, the feedback received has been very encouraging,” he said.
Previously, the MADANI Government announced more than RM5 billion in micro-financing facilities for 2026, expected to benefit more than 400,000 micro-entrepreneurs.
The facilities involve loans of up to RM100,000, with financing rates for certain schemes as low as four % per annum.
