Sarawak Hawkers Seek Greater Support, Simpler Aid Procedures Under Budget 2027

KUCHING (Sept 26): Sarawakian hawkers are hoping Budget 2027 will provide greater support through capital, equipment and operating assistance, while simplifying procedures for accessing government aid and obtaining business licences.

Siburan Market hawker Molyn Agnes Timah said additional assistance was needed to help small-scale hawkers cope with rising operating costs and expand their businesses, particularly through online sales.

“I hope there will be more assistance for hawkers like me, especially in terms of capital and facilities to expand online sales.

“Now I mostly sell through Facebook and WhatsApp. Customers can collect their orders from my home, or I can provide delivery services directly to their homes,” she said.

Molyn said assistance for digital marketing would help small hawkers reach a wider customer base, while support such as seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and seedlings could also help reduce operating costs.

She also hoped the application process for government assistance could be simplified to make it easier for small hawkers to access available support.

Echoing her concerns, hawker Asmiran Majid, 42, said greater attention should also be given to simplifying business licence applications.

He said lengthy procedures and repeated visits to government counters remained among the challenges faced by hawkers, particularly as a valid business licence may be required when applying for financing or government assistance.

“We hope the government can simplify the licence application process. Without a licence, it is difficult for loan applications to be approved.

“Counter services also take up a lot of time, and we sometimes have to make three to five trips, yet there is still no certainty,” he said.

Asmiran said rising costs of supplies, which occurred two to three times a year, were also squeezing profit margins, as hawkers could not easily raise prices without risking losing customers.

He hoped financial assistance would be distributed transparently and fairly to help hawkers secure working capital and purchase stock.

Retired policeman Leo Situ Malong, 74, meanwhile, said greater attention should also be given to the B40 group, particularly younger people who remained active in employment and business.

“I hope the government will provide assistance to young people who are still able to work and run businesses.

“My hope is that this Budget will be better than previous years, especially in helping small hawkers,” he said when met at the Kubah Ria market here.

Leo, who has taken over his wife’s business as she is now unwell, said rising prices of goods and fuel were among the main challenges faced by small hawkers.

However, he said raising prices was difficult as hawkers also had to consider their customers’ ability to pay.

“It is indeed stressful, but we try to persevere and not raise prices too much because we feel for our customers, especially villagers,” he said.

Weekend hawker Putit Busrah, 62, also called for increased allocations for small hawkers, coupled with stronger monitoring mechanisms to ensure assistance reached those who genuinely needed it.

“We hope the government will increase allocations for small hawkers so that businesses can grow and benefit the community.

“At the same time, loans should be monitored so that the money is genuinely used for business purposes and hawkers with good repayment records are not affected,” he said.

Putit, who operates at Medan Niaga Satok, said rising prices of goods had also forced hawkers to limit their stock purchases to keep costs under control.

He also hoped the government would organise regular dialogue sessions with hawkers to gain a better understanding of their needs.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anuar Ibrahim is scheduled to table Budget 2027 in Parliament on Oct 9.

According to the Pre-Budget Statement 2027 issued by the Ministry of Finance, the fifth MADANI Budget, themed ‘Malaysia MADANI: Menggapai di Langit, Mengakar di Bumi’, will continue to be anchored on the three pillars of the MADANI Economy.

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