DBKL to cut hawker stall rental rates by 50% until the end of 2027 to help ease the cost of living.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 14 — Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will reduce rental rates for hawker stalls and selected market premises by 50 per cent until the end of 2027, in an effort to help ease the cost of living for small traders in the capital.

Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh said the initiative is expected to benefit more than 10,000 stalls and small business premises owned by DBKL.

She noted that the move would also bring indirect relief to households, as lower operating costs for hawkers could help keep food prices more affordable for the public.

“I hope this initiative will be welcomed by the hawkers,” Yeoh said at a press conference at the Permaisuri Hawker Centre in Bandar Tun Razak here.

She added that DBKL is among the first local authorities in Malaysia to implement a large-scale rental reduction programme to support small businesses and help urban residents cope with rising living costs.

Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Fadlun Mak Ujud explained that the 50 per cent discount will apply to all DBKL-owned stalls and selected market premises, with a minimum monthly rent set at RM50.

“This means that even after the 50 per cent reduction, tenants will not pay less than RM50 per month. Premises currently renting at RM50 or below will maintain the same rate,” he said.

He added that tenants must settle any outstanding rental arrears to qualify for the reduction.

The discounted rental rates will take effect from April 1, 2026, until December 31, 2027.

Yeoh also encouraged tenants with overdue payments to take advantage of the initiative by clearing their arrears, noting that demand for these stalls remains high.