DBKL considering extension of Federal Territories Free Trading Initiative (IWBB) - Shahidan

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 -- The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will consider whether to extend the period for free renewal of trading licences under the Federal Territories Free Trading Initiative (IWBB) that is set to expire at the end of this year, to reduce the burden of traders affected by COVID-19.

Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim said, for now, the government would continue all the policies of the previous administration that benefits Malaysians, and will make improvements from time to time.

“There will be some improvements that DBKL will announce from time to time, we will not only give them the opportunity to trade but also make it easier for them,” he said at a media conference here today. 

Shahidan was asked to comment about National Recovery Council chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s suggestion that the initiative should be extended to reduce the burden of traders affected by COVID-19.

The IWBB was introduced on Nov 15 last year to enable those in the Federal Territories to open stalls or small businesses in suitable areas for free.

Shahidan had earlier handed MyFood@Wilayah food baskets to the needy at Taman Desa here, which includes three residential areas, namely Flat Sri Lempah, Teratak Muhibbah 1 and Teratak Muhibbah 2. 

According to Shahidan, 67,285 recipients in all three federal territories have benefited from the food basket programme since it was introduced in November last year, which comprised an allocation of RM3.2 million.

"The initiative does not focus merely on People’s Housing Projects and public housing residents but was expanded to private low-cost housing areas,” he said.

-- BERNAMA