The Malaysian Insight

RESTAURANTS in Penang, known for its many culinary delights, are thrilled that customers are gradually returning.

This comes as more economic sectors reopen following a three-month shutdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Eateries in the state are not exactly packed with patrons just yet, but revenue is steadily rising, bringing much relief to operators, who made almost zero income after the movement-control order (MCO) came into force on March 18.

Hameediyah Restaurant CEO Ahamed Seeni Pakir N.M. Abdul Sukkoor told The Malaysian Insight that he began allowing customers to dine in at the end of last month.

“In the early days of the MCO, we were earning only RM1,000 a day, but since interstate travel was allowed last week, we are earning RM8,000.

“I really want the standard operating procedures to be relaxed, but I think we should wait until the Covid-19 pandemic is over.

“We made sure the SOPs worked well before we allowed dine-in.

“After Hari Raya, people started to crowd the shop, they didn’t obey the SOPs. But we’ve been able to control it.”

He is not entertaining thoughts about earning as much as before, saying it is good enough to be able to reopen.

The popular nasi kandar outlet, which usually seats about 100 customers, now allows a maximum of 30 on the premises.

First Ocean Management (M) Sdn Bhd managing director Sihabutheen Kirudu Mohamed, who runs the Nasi Kandar Pelita chain, is happy that business is recovering, but misses the time when his eateries were bustling hangouts.

“We’re able to make almost 70% of the revenue we used to get in normal times. That’s a good sign.

“When we could only provide takeaways, our business dropped by half. Early into the MCO, it was far worse, at just 10% of our normal profits.

“We’re still struggling to make the profits we used to, because of our reduced operating hours and we can’t serve as many people. It’ll take time to recover.”

He said all eight Nasi Kandar Pelita branches now operate 16 hours daily, from 7am to midnight, instead of 24 hours pre-MCO.

The Penang government allowed dine-ins at restaurants starting May 18 under the conditional MCO.

Eateries must ensure tables are 2m apart, with customers seated 1m from one another.

Abdul Aziz Shaik Ahmad, who owns the Route 69 cafe, said he can no longer take bookings for meetings and other events involving big crowds.

“We can usually accommodate 200 people, but because our air-conditioned room is closed and customers can only eat outside in compliance with the SOPs, only 50 people can dine in.

“We used to be open until 3am, but now, we’re open from 10am to midnight. People want to come in, but we have to control the crowd.

“We also ask customers not to take too long to eat, to give others the opportunity to dine in as well.

“It’s hard for them to understand, especially those who come with their family, but for us to return to normalcy, we have to sacrifice a little.”

He said business has improved since the MCO entered the recovery phase on June 10.

“I’ve been able to get up to 80% of my previous income.

“More people come on weeknights,” he said, adding that the cafe made as much as RM100,000 before the MCO was imposed. – June 21, 2020.