KUCHING – Local hawkers in Kuching, especially those from the B40 income group, are now given a fresh chance to trade in a legal and safer environment through the MyKiosk Project, a new initiative under Majlis Bandaraya Kuching Selatan (MBKS) with funding from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT).
A total of 30 kiosks have been built, with 28 located at the Tabuan Jaya Old Market Parking Lot and 2 at Taman Sahabat. These kiosks are now operating and are occupied by small traders selling fruits and vegetables (9 stalls), packed food (14 stalls), and drinks/fruit juices (5 stalls).
The main goal of this project is to resettle illegal street hawkers, especially from low-income households, by giving them proper infrastructure and a regulated trading space. This not only ensures cleanliness and safety but also helps improve the traders’ livelihoods.
MBKS Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng called on the public to support these small traders by buying from the kiosks. “Your support helps strengthen the livelihoods of those who need it most,” he said.
At Taman Sahabat, MBKS has begun encouraging nearby traders to apply for the available kiosks. Applicants will go through an interview process to ensure a transparent and fair selection.
Dato Wee also explained that MBKS has been engaging with informal traders since the early planning stages of the project. “While some traders were hesitant to move, we continued discussions to help them understand the benefits. This process also caused some delays in implementation,” he clarified.
He also responded to recent criticisms, saying, “We follow proper procedures and guidelines. Our aim is clear – to help the community, not create problems.”
To ensure continued progress, MBKS plans to hold quarterly meetings with kiosk operators to gather feedback and improve the initiative further.
The public is urged to support the MyKiosk Project, recognising its role in legalising informal trade, supporting B40 communities, and creating a cleaner, more organised urban trading environment.
