PUTRAJAYA: A total of 10,000 traders under the supervision of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) have received a 50 percent reduction in site rental rates for two years, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh.
He said DBKL and Labuan Corporation were among the earliest local authorities (LAUs) to announce initiatives aimed at easing the burden of the cost of living for traders, especially following the increase in oil prices.
“We have a long list for (recipients under) DBKL, which is 10,000 at all sites, including food courts and markets,” he said after officiating the Putrajaya Aktif Programme here today.
The reduction in rental rates for hawker sites and certain premises under the supervision of DBKL is effective from April 1 to December 31, 2027.
Hannah said Putrajaya Corporation is currently still examining the best approach before implementing similar measures, including evaluating additional forms of assistance other than rental discounts.
He, however, said that for now the government is prioritizing reducing rental rates over other forms of subsidies, taking into account financial constraints and the need to generate alternative revenue.
“When we reduce rent, we need to find other sources of revenue because we are also facing increased operating costs including rising oil prices,” he said.
Hannah, when commenting on today’s program, said the government had also launched free sports classes involving sepak takraw and rope jumping in Putrajaya as a specific measure to address obesity among children.
He said the program was chosen because it was low cost and easy for children to practice at home.
“This class is held twice a month, on the second and fourth week, involving 50 participants per session at four locations around Putrajaya and is held throughout the year,” he said.
Hannah said the initiative was implemented together with the Ministry of Health, with a focus on providing programmes and fostering an interest in sports, while the nutrition and health aspects were monitored by the ministry.
He said the government also plans to obtain data on obese children in Putrajaya through collaboration with the Ministry of Education to expand the program’s reach to target groups before expanding it to other areas including Kuala Lumpur.
— BERNAMA
