GEORGE TOWN – Penang has the highest number of Ramadan bazaars which were ordered closed by the local authorities for defying the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
However, community leaders here are seeking for a reprieve, in view of the fact that many traders are dependent on such sales to survive.
Although stricter measures are needed to contain the spread of Covid-19, which recorded its highest daily toll ever of 250 cases today in the state, there is also a need to look at the livelihood situation of the traders.
State executive councillor Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, in a statement here today, said the Health Ministry must tighten the SOPs instead of closing the bazaars outright as many traders are dependent on the bazaar sales to supplement their income ahead of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
“I would like to propose that we allow the bazaars to reopen but we strictly enforce the SOPs. Yes, we do acknowledge that we are experiencing a surge in the number of Covid-19 cases and we are concerned but we must also consider the economic plight of the working class,” he said, adding that the authorities are therefore urged to rethink the move to shut down the bazaars.
His counterpart PKR deputy chairman Sim Tze Tzin said that the traders should not be blamed for the failure of the authorities to enforce the bazaars’ SOPs. “There is a need to find a way to make the bazaars operate effectively under the SOPs.”
The Bayan Baru MP said that this about turn of policies by the Perikatan Nasional government is an embarrassment, and that more needs to be done to counter this pandemic rather than ad hoc policies.
He also urged the government to give a timeframe for the traders to cope with the sudden decision.
Penang Medical Practitioners Society’s president Dr Pramjit Singh said that while public healthcare is of utmost priority in fighting the pandemic, there is a need to find a balance between protecting the people against the virus while also helping them to earn a living amid a depressive economic outlook.
Meanwhile, Penang local authorities have agreed to extend the period of one day over the order to close the Ramadan bazaars in the state.
The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and the Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP) have each agreed to set May 2 as the starting date for the closing of the Ramadan bazaars for three days.
When contacted by The Vibes, Seberang Prai Mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud said the extension of the date for one day was to give traders time to get ready, as the instructions were received with a shock. “We do not want traders to be caught by surprise by this directive, so we decided to give them one day to be ready,” he said.
Rozali said the affected traders could also propose to trade in other locations agreed by the organisers and MBSP.
In fact, he said, MBSP also allows organisers to operate in new places in compliance with SOPs – such as only one family representative being allowed to the Ramadan bazaar, as well as organisers needing to appoint additional staff to ensure no customers are crowded at the table.
“Disinfection work needs to be done from May 2 – and if the organisers have problems, they can contact MBSP to apply for assistance.”
Earlier, The Vibes reported some 22 Ramadan bazaars across the country have been ordered to close starting tomorrow following the surge in Covid-19 cases in those areas.
Eight Ramadan bazaars in Penang are affected: MPKK Jalan Tenggiri and Attakwa Taman Bertam Indah in Seberang Prai; Ramadan Bazaar and Iftar Ramadan Jalan Bukit Bintang 2021 under MBPP/MBSP; and four others in the island – Kg Melayu, Southwestern Mosque, Hill Building and Taman Tun Sardon. – The Vibes, April 30, 2021.
Additional reporting by Sofia Nasir
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