Since the MCO 2.0 was implemented, the operating hours of restaurants and supermarkets were initially limited to 8pm. However, the ruling received much public backlash as many working citizens return late from work and struggle to find food at late hours. Since then, the government updated the ruling to extend the operating hours of these services to 10pm.
Despite the rising Covid-19 cases that Malaysia is racking up daily, Ismail Sabri says that shutting down these businesses is not an option as they won’t be able to survive the deterimental economic effects of these closures.
“If we continue to close restaurants, stalls, or all micro-businesses, of course, they can no longer survive,” he said in a Facebook post.
“We have to think. Even though we know life is significant, at the same time, we need to take care of the economic interests of the poor, especially the B40 group, those who live from meal to meal and depend on daily income to sustain their livelihoods,” he said.
There’s a very fine balance between maintaining the health of the rakyat and the economic stability of the country. Hopefully, our nation’s leaders will do what is necessary to maintain the people’s wellbeing.
Also Read: JUST IN: MCO To Be Extended Until 18 February, SOPs Will Be Tightened
