2023 Budget: Vendors hope for cash aid from government

PORT DICKSON - Most vendors in Telok Kemang beach here are hoping Budget 2023 provides more special grants to targeted groups to ensure their businesses remain afloat.

Clothing and souvenirs vendor Suzana Jantan, 57, said this was because most vendors suffered huge losses and some had gone out of business due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"I am a single mother and I admit that I am affected. I don't have much savings and if I was given a loan it will prove to be difficult to make repayments due to impact of the pandemic.

"It is looking bleak for businesses at the moment as people are not looking to make purchases even during the holidays. There are less who come here for a holiday compared to prior to the Covid-19 pandemic," she said to Sinar on Thursday.

The same sentiments were shared with a toy car rental operator Roselyza Roszat, 31.

She said financial assistance is needed as the business environment is not as it was three years ago and it wasn't easy to receive loans.

"I can attest to it being quite difficult to regain your footing after the pandemic and a monetary injection in the form of cash is needed," she said.

Satay seller Salamiah Mohamed, 45, said the location of her business was quite strategic but the number of customers was relatively low.

"We hope this issue won't last as it may be caused by certain factors such as the price of goods causing the decrease in purchasing power. The government is expected to take action on the cost of living issues," she said.

Banana boat operator Baerom Zaman Abu, 44, said he hoped for the government to pay attention to operators like him by considering fuel subsidies.

"If fishermen were able to have access to such facilities the government should also take care of entrepreneurs, as our income is not as it was before," he said.