KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA March 14, 2026 – Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has become the first local authority to implement a 50 per cent reduction in rental rates for hawker sites and small business premises under its supervision, in a move to ease the burden on small traders in the capital.
The announcement was made by Hannah Yeoh, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), who highlighted the initiative as a proactive step by the MADANI Government to address rising cost of living pressures and increasing operational costs faced by traders.
According to Hannah Yeoh, the rental cut is expected to benefit more than 10,000 hawkers and small business operators managing sites and premises under DBKL’s management across Kuala Lumpur.
“We want to ensure small traders can continue to survive and grow in a challenging economic environment. This 50% reduction reflects our commitment to making Kuala Lumpur a more inclusive city that truly cares for the welfare of its people,” she said.
The reduced rental rates will take effect from 1 April 2026 until 31 December 2027. To ensure fair and affordable access, a minimum monthly rental of RM50 has been set.
Also present at the announcement were Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Member of Parliament for Bandar Tun Razak, and Datuk Seri TPr. Fadlun bin Mak Ujud, Mayor of Kuala Lumpur.
This initiative aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), especially in the face of post-pandemic challenges and inflation. It represents a more substantial measure compared to earlier limited reductions, such as the RM100 cut (from RM500 to RM400) for Ramadan bazaar sites earlier this year.
The move is hoped to enable small traders to maintain affordable pricing for goods and services, thereby helping to control the overall cost of living for residents in Kuala Lumpur.
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