PUTRAJAYA – Although they are non-essential economic activities, the government has allowed 38 types of businesses to operate during the Movement Control Order (MCO) to ensure job sustainability.
Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said, they need to ensure the business survival during the Covid-19 pandemic and the welfare of the people.
He added, it is important for the people to still have jobs to sustain their lives, especially when it’s nearing the Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
“We allow, although they are non-essential. However, you must remember, perhaps, furniture is non-essential but upon reaching Hari Raya, some people need to buy them. Gold is non-essential but we need to ensure business survival as their survival can ensure job sustainability.
“We don’t want those who work, those who depend on salaries and wages, if their premises are not allowed to open, there is a possibility that the business would be affected, shut down, and thus, people would lose their jobs.
“Thus, perhaps, gold is non-essential but jobs are essential to those who need them, to get paid and support their cost of living,” he said.
Earlier, netizens argued about the government’s logic in allowing 38 non-essential businesses to operate during the Movement Control Order (MCO) in several areas including Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
Elaborating further, Alexander said, besides ensuring the sustainability of jobs, the decision to allow 38 types of businesses was made based on the satisfactory observation on SOP compliance.
He said, 520,028 premises or 98 percent of them complied to the SOP.
“It is important that we have the data now since last year. The SOP compliance is very high among the retail sector and such, that is why we allow the 38 types of businesses to open during MCO,” he said. –MalaysiaGazette
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