The Malaysian Insight

RUMOURS of a second Covid-19 lockdown have spooked the business community still reeling from the financial consequences of the movement-control order enforced last March.

More than six months after movement restrictions are eased, many have yet to recover from the devastating losses they suffered when all commerce and industry, save essential services, were shut down to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Although the people cooperated and the outbreak did come under control, the shutdown from March to June was a nightmare for many businesses, which saw sales plummet.

Business owners are now urging the government to think twice before issuing another stay-home order which will destroy incomes and livelihoods.

SME Association of Malaysia president Michael Kang Hua Keong said another three months of lockdown won’t eliminate the virus but businesses.

“A restriction order is only a short-term solution and it does not eliminate the virus,” he said.

“Most companies will be affected except those in the essential sectors.”

The government lost RM2.4 billion each day the MCO was in effect last year and could not afford to lose more.

The association has submitted several proposals to the government suggesting ways Malaysians could live safely with the epidemic, he said.

“There is no need for the country’s 33 million people to be quarantined all at once. The government should only immediately isolate confirmed patients and close contacts.

“We can use an app to monitor the individuals in quarantine and fine them RM5,000 or RM10,000 if they breach it. If you cause someone to be infected, then you will be jailed.”

He said this is the simplest solution.

“Otherwise, who shall be responsible for putting food on the table for Malaysians?”

Kuala Lumpur Hawkers and Petty Traders’ Association chairman Ang Say Tee agrees that another MCO would be damaging.

Traders have only recently resumed businesses and will be unable to weather another financial shock that a lockdown is certain to deliver, said Ang. 

He recommends that the government tighten the health and safety guidelines and issue selective prohibitions, such as barring interstate travel, instead.

“As soon as they heard the rumours of another MCO, many of our hawkers turned to me for help.

“They are worried that their income will be destroyed, especially now with the Lunar New Year coming up.”

He hopes the government will make the right decision for the people as well as the economy.

“The virus has already seriously impacted the economy. If there is another lockdown, can our country really withstand it? The unemployment rate will rise further and the people will complain.”

On January 8, senior minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government will introduce stricter movement controls due to the record numbers of new infections that were being logged.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is expected to announce the new virus containment measures today.

An MCO was issued on March 18 last year and extended four times until May 3. The restrictions were eased under a conditional MCO from May 4 to June 9, when a recovery MCO saw the lifting of nearly all the checks on movements and the reopening of economic sectors. – January 11, 2021.