Twelve DAP MPs and state assemblypersons from Johor have issued a statement calling for morning markets and farmers' markets to be allowed to operate subject to local conditions.
"We are surprised by the results of yesterday's meeting between the local government exco (Ayub Jamil) with all the state mayors and local government authorities in Johor.
"Although the National Security Council (NSC) has permitted the operation of daily markets, farmers' markets and wholesale markets, the Johor state government acted otherwise and did not allow the operation of the markets.
"If the state government can allow the operation of permanent farmers' markets and private markets in buildings, there is no reasonable justification for why they will not allow the operation of morning markets, farmers' markets and night markets subject to the conditions of their respective local authorities," said the 12 elected reps in a statement.
They said that in terms of operations, the markets provided necessary services and the sale of basic goods and argued that open-air markets have much better air circulation than indoor markets.
The 12 who signed the statement are MPs Teo Nie Ching (Kulai) and Wong Shu Qi (Kluang) along with 10 state assemblypersons - Tan Chen Choon (Jementah), Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali (Paloh), Liow Cai Tung (Johor Jaya), Dr S Ramakrishnan (Bekok), Gan Peck Cheng (Penggaram), Andrew Chen Kah Eng (Stulang), Chew Peck Choo (Yong Peng), Ee Chin Li (Tangkak), Ng Yak Howe (Bentayan) and Alan Tee Boon Tsong (Senai).
"We fully understand how challenging the current Covid-19 epidemic situation is in our country. However, local authorities and elected representatives should be given discretion in their respective areas, to determine the local SOP in accordance with the NSC guidelines," they said.
The representatives said each area has a different situation. Therefore, local authorities and local elected representatives can adapt the SOP based on the situation and needs in their respective areas.
"This method not only allows the government to address the issue of Covid-19 transmission more closely in accordance with local conditions but also allows flexibility to maintain the economic survival of the people in each area.
"We recommend that the state government give permission to the operation of the morning market and farmers' market in general, based on the decision of the NSC, and local authorities are given the discretion to carry out the implementation in accordance with the conditions of their respective places.
"If there is a market in a location that is difficult to control the movement of the public or where the positive cases of Covid-19 in the area start to soar, local authorities have the power to close the morning market immediately," they said.
Urging the state government to reconsider the decision made in yesterday's meeting, they also called on the state government to provide funds to help small hawkers who trade in the morning market and farmers' markets if they are not allowed to operate. - Mkini
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