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Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Muslim traders plan to seek a meeting with the Chief Minister over the implementation of reduced rental rates for commercial premises following a federal directive which has yet to take effect in the state.

Sabah Muslim Chamber of Commerce (DPMS) chairman Abdul Baree Habeeb said the Prime Minister had announced that rental rates for federal government-owned commercial properties would be reduced from this month, but building owners in Sabah had yet to follow suit.

He said small traders, particularly those in food, textiles, gold and retail, were facing pressure from rising costs and a softer economic climate.

Baree said while there had been no widespread business closures, some operators had reduced staff, shortened operating hours and streamlined menus to manage increasing operational costs.

Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Datuk Mohamad Alamin, who officiated the chamber’s fourth annual general meeting at the Sabah International Convention Centre on Saturday, urged DPMS to establish a cooperative to strengthen members’ access to programmes, financing and business support.