Hawkers, Small Traders Recognised As Backbone Of Nation’s Trade At HPPK 2025

TEMERLOH, Nov 2 (Bernama) -- The National Hawkers and Small Traders Day Carnival 2025 (HPPK 2025) celebration today serves as recognition of the micro-entrepreneur community as the backbone of the nation’s trade sector.

Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said holding the celebration at Pekan Sehari, the local weekly market, highlights the important role of hawkers and small traders in advancing the MADANI economy.

“Every Sunday, over 700 hawkers bring life to Pekan Sehari Temerloh. They are the true faces of the people’s economy, hardworking, resilient and constantly striving to earn a living independently.

“This year’s celebration involves over 800 entrepreneurs, with participants from the One District One Industry (SDSI) programme, local hawkers and 50 entrepreneurs from Pahang,” he said at the HPPK 2025 closing ceremony, which was also attended by his deputy, Datuk Seri R. Ramanan.

The ceremony was officiated by Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, who represented Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Also present was Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.

Ewon said the event allowed hawkers and small traders to receive direct information from his ministry’s agencies on financing, training and entrepreneurial support, adding that this is a new approach to ensure that policies formulated truly address the needs of the grassroots.

He also thanked the Prime Minister for increasing TEKUN Nasional’s allocation to RM550 million and providing RM100 million under the SME Interest Rate Scaling Incentive to support hawkers and small traders.

Ewon said the government has allocated RM50 billion in Budget 2026 to strengthen the ecosystem for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), including hawkers and petty traders.

He added that his ministry will continue to engage directly with hawkers and small traders nationwide to ensure policymakers understand their challenges and aspirations.

“This community of hawkers is not merely composed of roadside traders; they embody the true image of Malaysia: hardworking, persevering and self-reliant.

“Therefore, I hope the government will consider providing a special allocation for future HPPK celebrations so that it continues to serve as a platform for empowering the people’s economy,” he said.

-- BERNAMA