TRADERS’ GROUP: BAN ORDER MUST COME FROM GOVT
Association head says organisers have no authority to bar anyone from entering Ramadan bazaars
THE decision to ban children from Ramadan bazaars to safeguard them from possible Covid-19 transmission has to come from the government and not bazaar organisers.
Malaysian Federation of Hawkers and Petty Traders Association president Datuk Seri Rosli Sulaiman said although he was in favour of parents not bringing their children to such venues, bazaar organisers had no authority to bar anyone from entering.
“I don’t agree with the practice of taking kids under the age of 12 to bazaars. There is simply no reason to.
“Food and clothes can be bought by their parents,” said Rosli, who is also the Federal Territory Bumiputera Traders Association president.
He said the onus, however, was with the Health Ministry.
“The power to ban children from bazaars lies only with the government through the ministry and the National Security Council (NSC).
“Organisers cannot control parents and deny their kids entry in bazaars, particularly now since the government has decided for Malaysia to embrace endemicity, and nearly all industries are fully open.
“The government has to make a stand on the matter, not shift the decision to us,” he said.
Asked whether organisers could impose a headcount on the number of people entering bazaars, Rosli replied in the negative.
“The same applies here. We cannot restrict the number of people coming in and out of bazaars. This would contradict the government’s announcement that bazaars are to fully open,” he said.
The New Sunday Times yesterday had quoted experts urging the government to consider disallowing children from bazaars to stem the soaring number of Covid-19 cases and hospitalisations among the group, who were mostly unvaccinated.
Experts said the intervention was necessary as only 0.9 per cent, or 33,621 of the 3.6 million children in the age group, had been fully vaccinated.
Based on data by the ministry, the admission of children to paediatric intensive care units due to Covid-19 infection last month rose by 94 per cent for Categories 3 to 5, with a spike of 200 and 125 cases in Categories 4 and 5, respectively.
NSC chief Datuk Rodzi Md Said had said there were no specific SOP for bazaars, and their operations were subjected to conditions set by the local authorities.
Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim also said there were no specific SOPs for the festive markets, except the mandatory check-in with the MySejahtera application and universal use of face masks in public areas.
Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman Hawkers and Traders’ Association president Azkhalim Suradi disagreed with the ban.
“Parents come to bazaars mainly due to their kids. The Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman bazaar would lose a large chunk of revenue if children were disallowed as many traders sell Raya clothes, toys and snacks for kids.
“If there is ban, there shouldn’t be double standards. “The ruling must extend to all shops, restaurants and shopping malls instead of just targeting us because they are just as crowded, if not worse.”