MELAKA, April 2- Strict conditions will be enforced on the 30 traders selected to operate at Uptown Paya Rumput, located within the Hang Jebat Stadium compound in Melaka.

Datuk Rais Yasin, Melaka’s Senior Exco, stated that this measure is aimed at ensuring traders remain committed to their business sites once the six-month free business period concludes.

“The six-month period is free, and we have also arranged financing of RM3,000. However, I need to ensure that these 30 traders are genuinely committed to their businesses,” he said. “I do not want them to abandon Uptown after the free business period ends. We do not want Uptown to become a white elephant project."

Rais emphasized that significant government funds were invested in completing Uptown Paya Rumput, which is why strict criteria will be applied when selecting traders.

So far, 389 applications have been received to join the Uptown Paya Rumput initiative. The site is expected to begin operations in June, following Hari Raya Aidiladha.

The area, featuring the MyKiosk concept, is designed to support hawkers and small traders in launching their businesses.