KUALA LUMPUR – The Federation of Malay Hawkers and Petty Traders’ Association of Malaysia has urged the government to consider allowing night markets to operate in areas under the movement control order (MCO).
Secretary-general Mohamed Zamri Mohammed said traders will strictly heed the standard operating procedures as they need to earn an income in this challenging period.
“Traders are mostly from the B40 category, and some of them are living hand to mouth with no savings. They might be able to survive for a week or two, but what will happen if the MCO is extended?” he told the Ruang Bicara programme on Bernama TV last night.
He expressed confidence that traders know full well how to conduct business in the “new normal”, having experienced movement restrictions since last year.
Meanwhile, Economic Action Council executive director Prof Tan Sri Noor Azlan Ghazali said night-market operations during the MCO require a “very clear model” to ensure the goal of containing Covid-19 is achieved without adversely impacting people’s welfare.
“For instance, in the past, we could enter night markets from any direction. (This time,) we can create and limit the entry and exit points under the supervision of the People’s Volunteer Corps.”
He said discipline among Malaysians also plays a key role should night-market traders be allowed to operate during the MCO. – Bernama, January 16, 2021
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