The Malaysian Insight

THINGS were just starting to look up for restaurants and food stalls in Kedah and Penang when a fresh coronavirus wave hit the two northern states.

And with banks’ loan moratorium set to end on September 30, operators are bracing for the worst.

They told The Malaysian Insight that the last three months have been tough, largely due to fewer customers as a result of the government’s standard operating procedure to combat Covid-19.

The new infections came soon after business began to pick up under the recovery phase of the movement-control order (MCO) that took effect on June 10.

Several operators said their businesses suffered a 50% decline shortly after seeing an improvement, no thanks to the Sivagangga cluster in Kedah that led to infections in neighbouring Penang and Perlis.

The cluster has 45 cases to date, out of 6,034 individuals screened by health authorities.

Last week, Putrajaya enforced the administrative enhanced MCO in three zones in Amanjaya, Kedah, and the Health Ministry will test all 22,360 residents in these areas.

Route 69 Cafe owner Abdul Aziz Shaik Ahmad said his business improved when the sector reopened in June, even recording 70% profits.

“However, in August, our profit was down to 50% due to the new cases in Kedah and Penang.

“Although the virus situation in Penang is not as bad, business has nevertheless been down.”

Restaurateurs are preparing for a second blow when the loan moratorium ends this month, he said.

“I think people in the food business will just about break even. In the early days of the MCO, when our shops were closed, we managed to survive as we had the moratorium.

“But when the moratorium ends, it will be very tough for most. I fear many will shut their business for good.

“We are at a loss. We don’t know what to do to revive our business.”

Sihabutheen Kirudu Mohamed, managing director of nasi kandar chain Pelita Samudra Pertama (M) Sdn Bhd, has similar fears, saying things will surely get worse when the moratorium ends.

“Our restaurant capacity has decreased by half due to the SOP. And with the moratorium ending in September, we will face difficulties.

“I don’t know how to overcome this.”

He said the fresh infections have negated the business recovery registered in June.

“Business is unpredictable now. When the new cluster emerged in Kedah, the SOP were tightened, affecting business.”

The Sivagangga cluster’s index patient was the owner of a nasi kandar restaurant in Jitra. Nezar Mohamed Sabur Batcha, who infected customers after flouting quarantine rules, has been sentenced to five months’ jail and fined RM12,000. Following the outbreak, the authorities tightened the SOPsfor eateries.

Hameediyah, a popular nasi kandar spot in Penang, was ordered closed for a week for breaching the SOP. Also ordered shut were 13 restaurants in Seberang Prai.

Roadside char koay teow seller Hardi Ismail said the stricter rules have kept customers away.

“They fear being compounded for breaching the SOP.

“Recently, in George Town, there were restaurants ordered shut for non-compliance with the rules.

“As a business owner, I have no fear as I stick to the SOP, but there are customers who are stubborn.”

Shamsul Munir Safini, who owns the Lomaq Coffee cafe, said he has shifted his focus to takeaways.

“I am focusing on deliveries as well, so there are not many (dine-in) customers for me,” he said, adding that he is also ramping up promotional efforts. – September 1, 2020.