Kuala Lumpur City Hall cuts rental for over 10,000 hawker sites and small business premises to ease cost-of-living pressures for traders and residents.

KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has announced a 50% reduction in rental rates for its hawker sites and selected premises.

The initiative, effective from April 1 until December 31, 2027, is expected to benefit more than 10,000 sites and small business premises in the federal capital.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said the move aims to help reduce operating cost pressures faced by hawkers and micro-traders.

She said the decision responds to increasing cost-of-living pressures driven by global economic uncertainties, including rising world oil and logistics costs.

“This initiative also places DBKL among the first local authorities in Malaysia to implement a comprehensive rental reduction on a large scale,” she said at a press conference.

Hannah added that the reduction is also expected to have a positive impact on residents who purchase food and daily necessities.

“I hope initiatives like this will be well-received by hawkers,” she said.

She also urged those with rental arrears to use the initiative to settle outstanding payments, citing high demand for such sites.

Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Fadlun Mak Ujud explained that the reduction involves an overall 50% cut, with the minimum rental rate set at RM50 per month.

“For premises with rental rates of RM50 and below, the rental rate will remain unchanged without any reduction,” he said.

He added that tenants must first settle any existing arrears before they are eligible to benefit from the incentive.

Fadlun said DBKL will continue to monitor cost-of-living developments and take proactive measures.

He stated the goal is to ensure Kuala Lumpur remains an inclusive and resilient city that prioritises resident welfare.

 The Sun Malaysia