Kuala Lumpur slashes Deepavali bazaar trader fees by 85 percent

Kuala Lumpur City Hall has announced a significant reduction in fees for traders operating at the city's Deepavali bazaar, slashing costs by 85 percent and implementing a new flat-rate cap of RM400 per vendor.

The decision addresses concerns raised by traders who previously faced a combined burden of RM2,626 in various permit and operational fees when setting up stalls at the popular festival marketplace. Under the new structure, merchants will pay substantially less, streamlining the permit process and reducing barriers to participation.

The revised fee structure is part of broader efforts by city authorities to support small and medium-sized traders during major cultural celebrations. The Deepavali bazaar remains a key annual event in Kuala Lumpur, attracting vendors selling traditional items, clothing, food, and decorations ahead of the Hindu festival.

The new fee arrangement is expected to encourage wider merchant participation in this year's bazaar and provide relief to traders navigating rising operational costs. The measure reflects growing recognition of the need to balance revenue collection with support for the informal trading sector.