KUALA LUMPUR – As thousands of businesses and wage-earners reel from closures brought about by the current lockdown, a distinguished business leader is proposing a scheme to offer better balance in keeping businesses alive while allowing the government to continue its fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
Datuk Pardip Kumar Kukreja said the economy has virtually remained closed for more than a year, with many non-essential businesses barely hanging by a thread.
To allow these businesses, including small- and medium-scale retailers and service providers, to survive, he suggested allowing them to operate on alternate days.
“My offices (at the) Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and in Penang and Johor Baru have remained closed because we have no choice as we are in the tourism sector,” said the Paradise Group of Companies executive chairman in an interview with The Vibes.
“But it is not only the tourism industry; other businesses like launderettes, tailors, barbers, car accessory dealers, phone shops and so on have had long stretches of closure, and they are now technically dead businesses.”
Pardip suggested that these businesses operate on alternate days based on their address.
“Perhaps, following July 1, essential businesses can operate every day as per usual, while all other businesses should only operate on alternate days.
“This means that no businesses will be left totally closed.”
On standard operating procedure (SOP) compliance, he suggested a simple solution in using the address or unit number to determine the days on which a business can open.
“If, let’s say, the address or unit number is an even number, the business can run on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
“If the unit has an odd number, then it will be (open) on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.”
He explained that if authorities are doing SOP compliance inspections, they can determine whether a business should be open based on the address and what day it is.
“So, based on what I am proposing, irrespective of what business you do, everyone will be allowed to open under strict SOPs on alternate days, with only 50% of the workforce operating daily.
“So, people have a means of earning income, and the fight against Covid-19 can continue.”
Pardip is also president of the Malaysia-Nepal Business Council and Malaysia-Morocco Business Association, and adviser to Selangor Wilayah Indian Business Association.
On interstate travel, which is necessary for certain business operations, he recommended that the government allow movement for those who have been vaccinated.
“This will also end up inspiring those who haven’t received immunisation to get their jabs.”
Earlier this month, the National Security Council decided to extend the third movement control order, which was originally slated to end on June 14, to June 28.
Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is expected to announce whether the current lockdown is to be further extended beyond Monday soon. – The Vibes, June 26, 2021
