Banting:The government's allocation of RM1 million for associations, hawkers, and small traders has sparked optimism among these groups about business expansion and improved family livelihoods.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nor Hazrin Shima Rahman, a beverage and food vendor, emphasized the significance of this allocation in acquiring essential equipment and increasing working capital. Operating her business alongside her husband for two decades, she highlighted that limited capital has often hindered their expansion plans despite robust customer demand.

Nor Hazrin expressed intentions to utilize the funds for purchasing equipment like beverage dispensers and a sugarcane juice extractor for Ramadan bazaars. Her mobile business, which frequents night and farmers' markets around Banting, also offers a variety of food items.

With five children aged six to 20, Nor Hazrin also urged relevant agencies and associations to actively disseminate information about government aid to ensure it reaches those in need. Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the RM1 million allocation to be managed by the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) to support hawkers and small traders.

Siti Fairuz Ab Karim, operations manager at Smoksa, a Segamat-based food business, noted that the assistance could cover expenses like renovations and machinery upgrades. Since its inception in 2019, Smoksa has ventured into frozen food production and aims to secure Halal certification for new products with the additional funds.

Federation of Malay Hawkers and Small Traders Associations of Malaysia (GPPPKMM) president Datuk Zainal Abidin Abd Majid expressed gratitude to the government for supporting hawkers and small traders. He mentioned the association's collaboration with the Prime Minister's Department's Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) to distribute equipment, hoping to enhance productivity and income nationwide.