Latest news with #2025HawkerLegalisationProgramme

New Straits Times

DBKL rolls out legalisation plan for hawkers

#taskid sendstory kalbana@ KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will roll out the 2025 Hawker Legalisation Programme next month in a bid to better regulate the street vending sector and allow local traders to operate legally. The initiative, which follows directives from the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories), Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, aims to strengthen urban governance while fostering inclusive economic growth within the capital. DBKL in a statement this evening, said the programme would cover two key categories of hawkers and traders, which are Mobile Hawkers Without Vehicles and Temporary Hawkers. "Mobile hawkers without vehicles are defined as individuals who conduct moving sales without the use of a vehicle, such as those on foot, selling things. These businesses will be eligible to apply for licences under existing or standalone programmes, allowing them to sell pre-packed food and beverages, flowers, and children's toys. "Whereas the second category, temporary hawkers, refers to traders operating at fixed locations or roadside stalls at designated spaces operating within a specified timeframe approved by the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur," it said. DBKL said these licences, however, are issued either as Limited Time-based Licences or Roadside Stall Licences, that only allow the sales of take-away food and drinks. "Licence applications will open from June 1 to 30, with approvals for certain mobile hawker licences under ongoing programmes under a stipulated period for approval. All applications will be screened according to DBKL set criteria, and successful applicants will be notified in Aug," it said. DBKL also reminded the public not to trust any third party, agent or representative to handle their applications. "All applications must be made directly with DBKL," it said, adding that details for the licence eligibility and the application procedures would soon be shared via DBKL's official website and social media platforms. DBKL said it is confident that the initiative will help drive local economic development, elevate professionalism among traders, and contribute to a more structured and sustainable urban economy. "The legalisation programme is a key effort to bring informal traders into the formal economy while ensuring Kuala Lumpur remains orderly and inclusive," it added. This latest initiative builds on DBKL's ongoing efforts over the years to organise and monitor unlicensed street traders. Past initiatives have included zoning, the introduction of mobile hawker permits, and the relocation of unregulated stalls to designated sites. In 2020, DBKL took steps to legalise thousands of petty traders during the height of the pandemic, offering temporary permits to cushion the impact of movement restrictions. While those efforts faced logistical and enforcement challenges, they marked a shift toward integrating the informal sector more actively into city planning. This initiative however, is seen as an effort to modernise service delivery for local businesses and help strengthen community-based economies. ends