Opposition MPs demands government to extend operation hours of eateries

By Mohd Zaini Samsu Hadi

KUALA LUMPUR – The eateries operators and public are not merely the only people who are complaining about the closure of eateries at 8.00 pm throughout the Movement Control Order (MCO).

21 Members of Parliament (MP) from the opposition bloc also joined in and demanded for the extension of the operation hours for the eateries.

According to them, the operation hour which is limited to 8.00 pm caused a lot of hassle for the people to buy food after they work.

“Allowing the businesses to operate according to their business licenses will help them to improve their economy, generate income of food delivery riders and encourage the people to stay at home as they can place their orders from home and not limited to 8.00 pm.

“We urge the National Security Council (MKN) to improve this SOP as it affects the businesses who can only depend on their daily income,” said the group of MPs in a joint-statement today.

The government has implemented the second round of Movement Control Order (MCO) in Penang, Selangor, Melaka, Johor, Sabah, Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan, Kelantan and three districts in Sarawak.

In the MCO areas, restaurants, food trucks, food stalls and other eateries are only allowed to operate from 6.00 am until 8.00 pm for takeaways and deliveries.

The Malaysia Indian-Muslims Restaurants Operators (PRIMAS) and several other e-hailing food delivery riders also requested for the extension of operation hours.

Meanwhile, the MPs also urged the government to extend the moratorium for at least six more months.

“Compared to the first phase of MCO, businesses could be affected worse this round as they need to pay for their rentals and salaries of staff without the moratorium,” they said.

The list of the MPs making the demands are:

1. Darell Leiking (Penampang MP)
   2. Syed Saddiq (Muar MP)
   3. Mohd Azis Jamman (Sepanggar MP)
   4. Hannah Yeoh (Segambut MP)
   5. Yeo Bee Yin (Bakri MP)
   6. Baru Bian (Selangau MP)
   7. Sivarasa Rasiah (Sungai Buloh MP)
   8. Salahuddin Ayub (Pulai MP)
   9. Amiruddin Hamzah (Kubang Pasu MP)
   10. Teo Nie Ching (Kulai MP)
   11. Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis (Kota Belud MP)
   12. Mahfuz Omar (Pokok Sena MP)
   13. Khalid Samad (Shah Alam MP)
   14. Dr Maszlee Malik (Simpang Renggam MP)
   15. Maria Chin (Petaling Jaya MP)
   16. Wong Shu Qi (Kluang MP)
   17. Teresa Kok (Seputeh MP)
   18. Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (Kuala Selangor MP)
   19. Dr Lee Boon Chye (Gopeng MP)
   20. Kasthuriraani Patto (Batu Kawan MP)
   21. Nor Azrina Surip @ Nurin Aina (Merbok MP). -MalaysiaGazette

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