KUCHING: A total of 1,124 market and hawker centre licensees under Kuching South City Council (MBKS) will receive a 50 per cent rental reduction under the Sarawak Government’s latest assistance package to help traders cope with global economic pressures.
Funded under the Sarawakku Sayang Special Assistance Package (BKSS) 6.0, the rental relief will be available from April 16 to December 31 this year for eligible hawkers operating at Local Authority owned markets and hawker centres.
MBKS Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said the initiative was introduced to ease the financial burden on traders affected by the economic impact of the ongoing crisis in West Asia.
He said only eligible hawkers actively operating at MBKS markets and hawker centres would qualify for the rental reduction, with local authorities responsible for identifying recipients and implementing the assistance.
“Hawkers who have already paid their rental in full for the applicable month will receive the equivalent 50 per cent rebate as a credit towards their subsequent monthly rental payments, ensuring every eligible trader receives the assistance,” he said in a statement.
Wee said the initiative reflected the Sarawak Government’s continued commitment to supporting local businesses, protecting traders’ livelihoods, and strengthening the state’s economic resilience amid global uncertainties.
He added that by lowering operating costs, the rental relief would provide meaningful financial support to traders while helping them continue operating with greater confidence.
MBKS, he said, would ensure the initiative was implemented smoothly and transparently in accordance with the Sarawak Government’s guidelines.
