DESPITE having experience on the do’s and don’ts during the movement control order (MCO), many business owners are livid over confusing decisions made by the Government in the second lockdown.
Yesterday, former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak weighed on the matter, asking the Government to clarify on why small traders were disallowed from operating while luxury undergarment sellers like Victoria’s Secret was exempted.
“The Government has come up with rules on which businesses are allowed to operate and otherwise.
“However, the police and local councils have their own interpretation of the regulations, which is causing the confusion,” Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) national council and SME chairman Koong Lin Loong told FocusM.
During MCO 1.0, Koong said the Government shut down many essential business services, which had an adverse effect on the nation’s economy.
However, this time around, the Government had decided to keep the economic wheel running, albeit in a slower pace.
“But this time around, too many people are making the rules and having their own interpretations, causing much confusion,” he said.
Citing an example, Koong said that an eyewear shop is allowed to operate, under strict standard operating procedures (SOP) and permission from the International Trade and Industries Ministry (MITI).
“But according to the police, you’re only allowed to repair your spectacles and buy new ones. Getting your eyes checked is disallowed. Who came up with such rules?” he asked.
On local authorities, Koong said that he received complaints from petty traders that the former was asking them to close shop despite having MITI’s approval.
“However, I must point out that the local council does have the authority to close down these businesses as they come under their purview. So, what is going on?” he enquired.
Offering solutions, Koong said that MITI and all other relevant ministries to sit on one table and iron out the list of do’s and don’ts for the second MCO and streamline the messaging system.
“Sit down and get everything in order, including the SOPs. This will allow everyone to know what is happening and streamline messages accordingly.
“As for the police, they should understand that their job is to enforce the regulations made, not making their own interpretations of things,” said Koong, who is also a SME Corp director.
Touching on the same matter, Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) executive director Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan said that while he lauded the Government’s decision to allow most businesses to continue operating, the same privilege should be given to small traders as well.
“Don’t differentiate us. Allow all businesses to operate as long as they adhere to the SOPs,” he said.
Shamsuddin added that many employers were confused on the need to seek MITI’s approval to continue operating, four days after the second MCO was imposed.
“Initially, they thought that a letter from an employer was sufficient for workers to attend work but later, the MITI approval issue came up.
“I think the Government has to revisit certain guidelines to ensure there are no disruptions to businesses. If we’re able to do that, the impact on the economy will be less severe,” Shamsuddin remarked. – Jan 17, 2021.
