MIRI – Business operators who defy movement control order (MCO) directives must be arrested immediately and not be let off the hook with mere warnings from local council authorities and police.
Residents are wondering why the authorities continue to issue warning after warning against errant outlet owners, with no decisive action taken.
“We ordinary folk keep hearing from the local councils about those in business circles who stubbornly defy the operating time limit and other standard operating procedures (SOPs) during the MCO.
“Why aren’t these defiant towkays arrested?
“What is the point of just issuing threats and warnings to revoke their business licences? The local council authorities must show that they mean business.
“Those towkays who defy SOPs must be arrested and not get away with lame warnings,” said Rosaline Ngau, who commented on the matter on a social media platform.
She was reacting to the news that there are defiant business operators who refuse to obey the set operating time limit in Miri, despite the ongoing MCO.
Miri Mayor Adam Yii yesterday said the city council has received information that bistro operators are refusing to comply with orders to ban dine-ins and close by 8pm.
“They are defying directives to not offer dine-ins or operate beyond 8pm.
“We will have no choice but to penalise them with a heavy fine or withdraw their business licence if they continue like this,” he said, adding that the city council will join forces with police to carry out raids.
Yii said the whole purpose of the movement control order is to curb the spread of Covid-19, which has reached an alarming level in Miri.
“However, there are business operators who still want to operate beyond what is allowed.
“Please play your part and help us stop infections.”
He said even essential services, like food outlets and supermarkets, must strictly adhere to set operating hours and SOPs, which limit crowd size, and implement social distancing and wearing of face masks.
He also appealed to the people to stay home and go out only if it is absolutely necessary.
Miri is among the districts with the highest daily number of Covid-19 cases in Sarawak. – The Vibes, June 5, 2021
