Pekan sehari: 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.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Ewon Benedick emphasized the significant contribution of hawkers to the economy, noting that every Sunday, over 700 hawkers bring life to Pekan Sehari Temerloh. He remarked that these individuals 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. The closing ceremony was also attended by his deputy, Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, and was officiated by Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, who represented Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar was also present at the event.
Ewon highlighted that the event allowed hawkers and small traders to receive direct information from his ministry’s agencies on financing, training, and entrepreneurial support. He mentioned that this is a new approach to ensure that policies formulated truly address the needs of the grassroots. He expressed gratitude to 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.
Furthermore, Ewon stated that 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 assured that his ministry will continue to engage directly with hawkers and small traders nationwide to ensure policymakers understand their challenges and aspirations. Ewon described the community of hawkers as not merely composed of roadside traders but as embodying the true image of Malaysia: hardworking, persevering, and self-reliant. He expressed hope that the government would consider providing a special allocation for future HPPK celebrations to continue serving as a platform for empowering the people’s economy.