The Malaysian Insight

VENDORS at the Kuala Lumpur wholesale market in Selayang have come up with a “Plan B” in the event the market is shut down by the authorities in view of the increasing number of Covid-19 cases.

They plan to meet their customers outside the market so that the supply chain to hypermarkets, restaurants and vendors from smaller markets in the Klang Valley is not broken.

Kuala Lumpur Vegetable Wholesalers’ Association president Wong Keng Fatt said in the event they are forced to stop operations in the market, the vendors will deliver or store their goods outside the premises.

“Our vegetables are sold on the same day they arrive. Fruits and vegetables are slightly different. Fish and fruits can be frozen for durability, but our perishable products cannot.

“So, if we talk about a back-up plan, we have to deal with our customers outside the market,” Wong said.

Once the public market is forced to close, the supply chain will be affected, he said.

Wong said hypermarket customers will need their goods, so vendors must find ways to continue supplying them.

Kuala Lumpur Fruits Wholesalers’ Association president Chin Nyuk Moy said many fruit wholesalers have also been affected by the outbreak in the public market.

The fruit vendors are experiencing problems with goods for the coming Chinese New Year stuck in the port.

“Mandarin oranges have arrived at the port. They cannot be delivered to us if the market is closed,” Chin said.

Most wholesalers are planning to deliver their fruits outside the market or freeze the imported fruits.

“But it is still too early to deliver the Chinese New Year goods. And with the market experiencing this hiccup, business this week should be quiet.”

The fruit vendors are taking a wait-and-see attitude and all arrangements are subject to the Covid-19 screening results, said Chin.

It was reported yesterday that more than 90 vendors and workers at the wholesale market tested positive for Covid-19 over the weekend.

More than 2,000 others are being screened and the results are expected tomorrow.

Local operators have always followed the standard operating procedure and were surprised by the many Covid-19 cases among the fishmongers, she said.

Initial negotiations between the Chamber of Commerce and Kuala Lumpur City Hall are that once the number of confirmed cases is high, the wholesale market will close for three days starting Thursday for sanitisation.

The authorities have also summoned all vendors, market workers, and even delivery personnel for screening.

“Customers and the lorry drivers and attendants are also screened.” – January 19, 2021.