THE Government should consider allowing small traders and wet markets to continue operating, just like major retail outlets in the country.
“We have no problems following the standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the Government. In my view, if major retailers can be allowed to operate, why not us?” Pasar Borong Harian Selayang chairman Mohd Pandu Insani asked, when contacted by FocusM.
Recently, the Government imposed a second movement control order (MCO 2.0) and proclaimed an Emergency to deal with COVID-19, with daily infection cases reaching more than 2,000 cases.
However, several quarters have questioned the Government rationale’s in allowing certain major businesses to operate, leaving small traders livid.
Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak also weighed in on the matter, questioning why small-time entrepreneurs are disallowed from doing business while luxury item seller like Victoria’s Secret is exempted.
Pandu said that unlike major outlets that have huge capital, small traders depend on daily earnings for survival.
“Major retailers follow SOP, and so do we. Of course, there will be some differences but we have always followed the stipulated guidelines,” he said.
With that, Pandu urged the Government to look into the matter and provide a solution to their predicament.
On what is his association doing to mitigate the problem, Pandu said that some of the small traders have gone digital, by embracing the Warong Rider services.
“However, not many small traders have embraced digitalisation due to lack of knowledge but we try to adjust.
“Night market traders are affected the most as they’re not allowed to operate during the said hours,” he added.
Warong Rider is a food delivery service aimed at helping small traders to deliver orders to customers at home.
Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurs Alliance of Malaysia (Ikhlas) president Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah said that many small traders have difficulty making ends meet, and poured scorn on the Government’s alleged bias against them.
“Why are night markets not allowed to operate? They also follow SOP like the big retailers. Does COVID-19 only infect people at night and poor people?
“And night market traders are monitored by local council officers. If they find anyone breaching the SOP, action can be taken against the business operator.
“If the hours are the problem, we can always tweak the operating hours. Those at the National Security Council (NSC) should use common sense,” he said.
Ridzuan also criticised political leaders for passing the buck to the Federal Government whenever met for assistance.
“If this is how our leaders behave, perhaps we don’t need elected representatives anymore. If the situation persists, maybe small traders should march to Seri Perdana,” he remarked.
On related matter, Selangor state assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran urged the NSC to allow wet markets to operate from 6am onwards, along with other businesses.
“Clearly, our minister (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob) does not buy groceries for his household. If he did, Ismail would know that people, especially working ones, go to the market as early as 5am to complete their purchase, head home and then get ready for work or school.
“It’s almost a year into one form of MCO or another and the Government is still going around in circles when it comes to developing comprehensive and reasonable SOPs.
“When will they ever listen to public grouses and provide a well-thought-out plan to be followed during this period?” he asked.
Rajiv added that it was ridiculous that businesses such as launderettes and pet stores are allowed to start at 6am, but not essential services such as the wet market and pasar tani.
“Many market traders and residents in my constituency have voiced their dissatisfaction with this. The one hour in change of time can significantly impact the income of the market traders and convenience of the people,” the Bukit Gasing lawmaker remarked. – Jan 18, 2021
