WITH the ramping up of the retail industry vaccination programme, the Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) calls on the Government to allow all retail sectors to be re-opened immediately with a continued strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure the survivability and sustainability of the retail sector.
While MRCA welcomes the easing of restrictions following the announcement of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) as a result of the increased vaccination rate under the National Immunisation Programme, it is deeply concerned over the segregation of essential and non-essential sectors by the Government.
“This is given that all businesses are inter-connected in one way or another and cannot prosper on its own. In all fairness, all business owners consider their businesses as essential,” MRCA pointed out in a media statement.
“All retail sectors have already been irreversibly damaged and any further prolonged closure of the non-essentials sectors on Phase 1 and EMCO (enhanced movement control order) lockdowns will further hurt the entire supply chain.”
Moreover, many retailers are on the brink of collapse as they are unable to generate any revenue to cover escalating monthly obligation such as rentals, salaries and debts with the prospect of being taken to court by creditors.
“Most retailers are currently only relying on their own savings and loans after implementing maximum cost reduction internally,” noted MRCA.
“Without consistent monthly revenue coming in, any form of savings will be depleted eventually. Many are already suffering a deficit in terms of their cash flow.”
With the vaccination ramp up and the strict adherence to SOPs, retailers should not be unduly “penalised” with the harsh business restrictions, according to MRCA.
After all, about 68% of the country’s adult population has received the first dose of the vaccine while 55.8% of individuals of the Klang Valley have completed both doses of the vaccination.
“With 98% of new COVID-19 cases reported were of categories one and two involving asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients respectively, we trust the Government can consider re-opening the trade for those who have received full vaccination, ie two doses,” argued MRCA.
With the retail industry contributing 34.6% of Malaysia gross domestic product (GDP) in 2018, MRCA hopes that the Government will offer more legal and financial support to protect retail businesses from untimely closure.
“Due to the prolonged business closure, the previous financial support from the Government is grossly insufficient to keep businesses afloat,” asserted the association. “We appeal to the Government to allow the immediate re-opening of all retail sectors immediately.” – Aug 12, 2021
