The Malaysian Insight

AFTER more than a year of adapting to movement restrictions, Malaysians are a calmer lot under lockdown this time around, and there was no panic-buying ahead of tighter rules that take effect tomorrow under the third movement control order (MCO 3.0).

Checks conducted in Shah Alam, Subang Jaya and Puchong found minimal crowds at shops selling essentials and groceries as well as at supermarkets.

“There is nothing to panic about for tomorrow. Shops are still open until 8pm. The only thing that we need to do is not try to get things at the very last minute,” said 55-year-old Azmah Ahmad when met at Tesco Hypermarket in Setia Alam, Shah Alam.

Fatin Razali, 25, also felt that people no longer fell for panic-buying, unlike the first MCO more than a year ago when the Covid-19 pandemic began.

“I think the people are mature and they have learnt from past experiences that there is no need to panic,” she said.

Setia City Mall, about a kilometre away from the Tesco Hypermarket, was also quiet with most shops open.

From tomorrow, retail outlets can only allow 10 people to enter at one time, and have to observe a two-hour limit for each customer.

These are part of the stricter rules that include working from home, reduced business hours, halving of public transport capacity and increased police roadblocks, to stem the spread of Covid-19 infections.

All public and private events as well as social gatherings and dine-ins at eateries are also banned.

Despite the stricter rules, a shopper at Setia City Mall who wanted to be known as Hikmi, said MCO 3.0 still does not feel like a total lockdown.

“It’s not like the first MCO where most of the stores were closed. Maybe the difference is that more activities are allowed, but the SOP are tighter than before,” he said.

In Subang Jaya, supermarket AEON BiG in SS16 was relatively quiet but entry SOP were still strictly enforced by a security guard who ensured that every person entering scanned their MySejahtera app besides taking their temperature.

A few customers whose MySejahtera app showed that they were casual contacts were not allowed in.

The situation was similar at Mydin Subang Jaya Hypermarket where only those whose MySejahtera app showed that they were low risk were allowed in.

“I don’t think there’s such a big crowd this time as people are aware that they can still come to get groceries when they want,” said Jason Ng, 29, who was doing his grocery run at Mydin.

“Malaysians have learnt a lot from MCO 1.0 and now, items are stocked well, so there isn’t much to worry about.”

At business areas such as Bandar Puchong Jaya, Bandar Puteri Puchong and Sunway, traffic was noticeably lighter as parking bays were only 60% to 70% occupied. 

At these places, the only businesses that were still open were eateries that were still serving takeaway customers, car workshops, renovation material suppliers, mini markets and banks. 

At most banks, queues of people were seen outside. 

At the Public Bank in Bandar Puteri Puchong, C.F. Tan, 48, said he was queuing to deposit cash and cheques he had received from his business. 

“I wanted to get these things done before the tighter MCO rules start tomorrow. There’s also the Wesak Day holiday on Wednesday,” said the businessman.

Although he felt more comfortable after a year of adapting to lockdown rules, Tan said it was better to get as many of his errands done as early as possible.

“We never know if the Covid-19 situation will worsen or whether the SOP will be changed again,” he added. – May 24, 2021.