PM to launch the grand HPPK 2023 at Buhavan Square

3 December 2023

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KOTA KINABALU: Approximately 50,000 visitors are expected to flood the National Level Hawkers and Small Traders Carnival (HPPK2023) for three days starting December 7th at Buhavan Square, Penampang.

The opening ceremony will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on December 7th, at 1:00 PM.

Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Ewon Benedick said that various interesting activities will be held throughout the three-day event.

He mentioned that there will be 300 sales booths from 50 exhibitors, 30 food trucks, 190 small traders and hawkers’ booths, and 14 booths offering various products such as food and beverages, handicrafts, clothing, and more.

"Also included are the Madani Cooperative Sales, Fama Sales, and Rahmah Sales to provide visitors with the opportunity to purchase daily necessities at cheaper prices below market prices.

"In addition, other activities during HPPK include lucky draws with attractive prizes such as electrical goods, vouchers, hampers, and more.

"Cooking competitions, coloring contests, karaoke, Mobile Lagend competition, and Mini 4WD Car competition, entrepreneurship talks by ministry agencies, health screenings, and hair cutting services will also be held," he said.

Ewon mentioned that the Aramai Boh Concert will also be held on the second day, December 8th, from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM on the main stage of Buhavan Square.

"The invited artists who will perform at the concert are Stacy, Akim, Esther Applunius, Elica Paujin, Jimmy Palikat, Benn Simon, Lyron Felix, Mary Intiang, Raitim Sitim, Martha Ginun, and the live band Cun-Cun & The Brothers," he said.

For those interested in participating in the "Golden Voice Singing" karaoke competition, screenings will be held on the second day (December 8th) on the main stage starting at 2:00 PM, and the final competition will be on the third day (December 9th) at 2:00 PM.

To avoid congestion and facilitate the public's visit to Buhavan Square, six HPPK2023 buses will be provided to transport visitors from ITCC to Buhavan Square.

Visitors who bring their own vehicles can park at several designated locations, including the Sabah Cultural Centre in Penampang, the Library, Sabah Credit, the Chinese Temple, and ITCC.

The karaoke competition champion will receive a cash prize of RM1,000, second place RM700, and third place RM500, along with trophies and hampers.

The best performance will receive a cash prize of RM300, a trophy, and a hamper. All finalists (10 individuals) will receive hampers.