KUALA LUMPUR – Twenty-one opposition MPs are calling on the Perikatan Nasional government to review present Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) to allow food and beverage outlets to operate past 8pm.
In a statement, today, the group called for the administration to allow such services to operate as stated in their business licence and not be limited to 8pm, considering that dining-in is already prohibited and the sale of food is restricted to takeaway, drive-thru or home delivery.
"The current operating hours for food and beverage outlets make it difficult for those who need to buy food after working hours.
"Allowing traders to operate according to their business licence will help revive the economy, generate income for food-delivery riders and encourage people to stay home as they can place orders from home without being limited to 8pm," the group said.
It urged the National Security Council (NSC) to immediately change this SOP as it affects traders who depend solely on their daily wages for a living.
"In addition, we also urge the government to extend the moratorium for at least another six months. Compared with the first MCO, traders may be even more badly affected now as they are forced to bear the payment of rent and workers’ salaries without a moratorium like before."
The 21 MPs making the call are:
1. Datuk Darell Leiking (Warisan-Penampang)
2. Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (independent-Muar)
3. Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman (Warisan-Sepanggar)
4. Hannah Yeoh (DAP-Segambut)
5. Yeo Bee Yin (DAP-Bakri)
6. Baru Bian (PBS-Selangau)
7. Sivarasa Rasiah (PKR-Sg Buloh)
8. Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub (Amanah-Pulai)
9. Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah (independent-Kubang Pasu)
10. Teo Nie Ching (DAP-Kulai)
11. Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis (Warisan-Kota Belud)
12. Datuk Mahfuz Omar (Amanah-Pokok Sena)
13. Khalid Abdul Samad (Amanah-Shah Alam)
14. Maszlee Malik (independent-Simpang Renggam)
15. Maria Chin (PKR-Petaling Jaya)
16. Wong Shu Qi (DAP-Kluang)
17. Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh)
18. Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (Amanah-Kuala Selangor)
19. Dr Lee Boon Chye (PKR-Gopeng)
20. Kasthuriraani Patto (DAP-Batu Kawan)
21. Nor Azrina Surip @ Nurin Aina (PKR-Merbok). – The Vibes, January 18, 2021
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