Two hawkers can be doing much the same kind of work and still face quite different annual licence bills. In Perak, a traders’ association says rates charged by local councils range from RM170 to more than RM400.
The Perak Perkasa Malay Hawkers and Small Traders Association, or PPKMP, is now discussing lower and more consistent fees with local authorities. Its president, Alfirza Munira Abdul Muin, raised the issue at a community hawkers and entrepreneurs carnival in Ipoh on 24 October, Bernama reports.
For a small stall, an annual fee is money that has to come from the same takings that pay for ingredients, transport and other operating needs. The association says the differing charges have become a concern among its members, particularly less well-off operators.
The possible change is still a proposal
One option being discussed is standardising fees across Perak’s local authorities. Alfirza Munira said feedback suggested this could happen from next year, but also made clear that further discussions were needed and no final decision had been reached.
That means traders should not budget on the assumption that a cheaper licence has already been approved. The report does not announce a new statewide rate, an effective date or an automatic reduction for existing licence holders.
It also does not establish that every stall pays for exactly the same category of licence. Comparing a renewal notice with the council’s applicable category is more useful than assuming the lowest figure quoted elsewhere must apply to your business.
Keep the paperwork that shows the difference
For traders following the talks, a practical starting point is to keep the current licence, fee notice and receipt together. These show what was actually charged and give an association or council something specific to discuss when questions arise.
A lower common rate would be welcome to operators currently paying more, but the outcome depends on what councils eventually agree. Standardisation alone does not yet tell a trader whether their own bill will go down.
For now, the issue has reached the negotiating table. The next announcement worth watching is a confirmed council decision that states the fee, who qualifies and when it starts.
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