TEMERLOH: The celebration of National Hawkers and Small Traders Day 2025 (HPPK 2025) today is in recognition of the micro-entrepreneur community who are the backbone of people’s trade.
Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Datuk Ewon Benedick said the location of the celebration, which is at Pekan Sehari here, also symbolizes the rise of hawkers and small traders who drive the MADANI economy.
“Every Sunday, more than 700 hawkers liven up the atmosphere of the Temerloh One-Day Market. They are the true face of the people’s economy who work hard, are resilient and always find their own way to make a living.
“This time’s celebration was also attended by more than 800 entrepreneurs including One District One Industry (SDSI) participants, local hawkers and 50 entrepreneurs from Pahang,” he said when speaking at the closing ceremony of HPPK 2025 here today 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, representing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Meanwhile, Ewon said that through the organization, the hawker community and small traders have the opportunity to receive information directly from agencies under his ministry regarding financing, training and entrepreneurial guidance.
“This is a new approach to ensure that the policies formulated truly address the needs of the people,” he said.
Meanwhile, he expressed his appreciation to the Prime Minister for his concern for this community through the increase in TEKUN Nasional allocation to RM550 million and RM100 million under the PMKS Scaling Interest Rate Incentive.
Overall, the government has allocated RM50 billion in Budget 2026 to strengthen the micro, small and medium enterprise (PMKS) ecosystem, including hawkers and small traders.
He said his party would continue to go out into the field to approach hawkers and small traders throughout the country so that policymakers would better understand their concerns.
“This hawker community is not just roadside traders, but they are the true face of Malaysia working, struggling and being independent.
“Therefore, I hope the government can consider special allocations for the HPPK celebration in the coming years so that it continues to be a platform for the people’s economic empowerment,” he said.
— NAMED