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KUALA LUMPUR – Not one of the 12,500 Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners’ Association (Presma) members was able to register for approval letters from the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry to stay open during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Presma president Datuk Jawahar Ali Taib Khan told The Vibes that many members complained of being unable to access the ministry’s website, which crashed earlier today, to submit their applications.
There was confusion this morning among restaurant operators unsure of whether their applications should be made to the Domestic Trade Ministry, International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti), or Federal Territories Ministry.
Jawahar said he managed to get through to an official, who clarified in a phone call that the Domestic Trade Ministry is tasked with handling approvals for eateries.
In Kuala Lumpur alone, he said, messages have flooded three WhatsApp groups, which have some 200 members each, expressing frustration over their failed attempts to access the Domestic Trade Ministry’s website.
He was speaking to The Vibes shortly before 4pm, about an hour before the ministry’s business hours end.
If possible, there should not be a need to register in the first place, as we are considered an essential service.”
He expressed hope that the government will be lenient in its lockdown enforcement tomorrow.
“The authorities should give us time and space to submit the applications, because we were all unable to gain the necessary approvals due to the website (issues).”
The portal crashed around noon after contact details to apply for business approval letters were shared on social media.
Businesses involved in retail, wholesale and distribution need to get approval letters from the ministry if they want to continue operating during the two-week lockdown.
A ministry spokesman confirmed the glitch, but a check about 4pm found the website still inaccessible.
Given the frenzy today, Jawahar said it is important for the authorities to grant restaurant operators more time to register, so that they are in compliance with the standard operating procedures set by the government.
“Businesses are already in critical condition, so they should not make the situation harder by ‘killing’ them off altogether.”
He said he received a report from a Presma member, who alleged that an employee was issued a RM5,000 compound at a roadblock after forgetting to bring along his approval letter from Miti.
The worker, who earns a modest salary, was asked to file an appeal at the nearest police station, but ended up having to cough up RM1,500 to settle the fine, he said.
“Enforcement officials must use common sense when carrying out their duties. We are not a rich country like Singapore. People will ‘vomit blood’ to pay a RM5,000 fine – even RM150 is not easy to pay.”
Asked whether he is disappointed with the government over the website glitch, Jawahar said he is “not surprised”.
“This is typically Malaysian culture. It’s just the standard. But tomorrow, they (the authorities) should not strictly enforce the rules, because we have done our part (by trying to apply for approval letters).” – The Vibes, May 31, 2021
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