KUALA LUMPUR: As a former hawker himself, caretaker Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has pledged to continue helping small traders if he remains in Putrajaya after the 15th General Election (GE15).
He said he understood the plight of hawkers and small traders since he had sold lime and fish while he was in primary school.
"That is why I will approve any requests made by hawkers and small traders since they are always close to my heart.
"I was a hawker myself when I was in primary school. I used to sell lime by the sidewalk and fish at the Pekan Sehari Temerloh," he said in his speech when launching the Hawkers, Small Traders and Entrepreneur Mega Fest at Dataran Merdeka here today.
Ismail Sabri also expressed his willingness to be the patron of the hawker and small trader association coalition.
"I am sure hawkers and small traders will use their voting power in the polls," he said to chants of "Hidup Datuk Seri" (long live Datuk Seri).
Ismail Sabri later told reporters he would not make any decisions or changes regarding hawkers and small traders before the general election.
He said as the caretaker prime minister, he was not allowed to do so.
"I can't make any approval regarding finances."
When asked if this was an election promise, Ismail Sabri said it was up to the voters how they wanted to interpret his statement.
"You help me, I help you... you can have your own opinion and the traders can have their own opinions. Let's leave it to them."