Business sectors seek detailed SOP during MCO

Business sectors claim that they have been left in the dark again over the lack of clarity in standard operating procedures for the movement control order imposed on six districts in Selangor.

SME Association of Malaysia president Datuk Michael Kang said the government should have prepared and given a detailed SOP together with the MCO announced on Tuesday.

“This is not the first time the government has made an announcement on the MCO. Businesses would like to know all the details, for instance, what can open and cannot operate during this critical period.

“We would also like to know whether there are any updates on the SOP. This is important because we want a clear picture to avoid any untoward incidents,” he said in an interview yesterday.

Kang said he welcomed the government’s decision to impose MCO on only six districts in Selangor.

“This is much better than imposing it on the whole state or the entire country,” he added.

On Tuesday, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had announced that six districts in Selangor would be placed under a two-week MCO from May 6 to 17 due to a recent surge in Covid-19 numbers.

They are Hulu Langat, Petaling, Gombak, Klang, Kuala Langat and Sepang.

Three other districts in Selangor – Kuala Selangor, Sabak Bernam and Hulu Selangor – will remain under conditional MCO.

Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents chief executive officer Phua Tai Neng said the travel and tourism industry had been very badly hit and affected since March 2020, and was in a dire situation with no business.

“Many stakeholders and players in the industry have been hibernating and some even closed their operations. The limited travel allowed between conditional MCO and recovery MCO states has also been suspended. The MCO placed in six districts in Selangor have made it worse for tour operators.

“Selangor has a huge market for domestic tourism and with inter-district travel not allowed, the current difficult situation is further worsened.

“While we appreciate the concerns for public health, the travel and tourism industry should not be forgotten. The industry needs further help from the government,” he added.

Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia SMEs committee chairman Koong Lin Loong said while the MCO was a good move, authorities needed to issue clear guidelines.

“They surely have gotten feedback from various stakeholders, including businesses, so they should know what to expect,” he said.

Bumiputera Retailers Organisation president Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin said businesses were supportive of the government measures in view of the high Covid-19 cases which were causing shortage of beds in hospitals.

However, to avoid confusion, the government, he said, should announce the amended SOP at the same time.

Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners’ Association president J. Suresh appealed to the government to allow dine-ins in areas under MCO.

“It will add more stress to operators as we have already been suffering for 14 months and the current MCO will have a harder impact.

“Dining-in at restaurants should be allowed with a maximum of two customers per table as it will be able to support their daily management expenses.”