Cloud of uncertainty hangs over small businesses as some doors open

Although movement control order (MCO) restrictions have been eased, most business owners do not appear to be ready to reopen their doors just yet.

The few who do told Malaysiakini that they are worried about the future and their ability to make rent payments.

A visit to the usually bustling Sungai Besi township in Kuala Lumpur to observe the first few hours of business revealed that only about a third of the shops were open.

Some business owners such as Yusof Abas, 60, (above) said they have no choice but to reopen their shop which is catered for Muslim women and those performing the hajj.

Yusof said he needed to pay rent and decided to reopen today. He had hoped that Ramadan and Hari Raya would boost sales but conceded that celebrations this year would be muted.

"People need to observe Hari Raya, but now they can't go anywhere. God willing, I hope people will purchase at least a little bit from us," he said.

When Malaysiakini visited Yusof's shop, he had only opened for an hour. When asked about the volume of customers, he pointed to two individuals picking out clothes.

Phone accessory shop owner Lee Swee Cheung, 46, said he didn't expect business to pick up anytime soon.

"I'll have to see how the week goes. We can't predict anything.

"I don't know. How can we predict anything," said Lee, who also decided to open his doors to cover the rent.

Handling emergencies

Some business owners selling necessities said the lifting of MCO restrictions today was greeted well by their customers.

Optician Dennis Wong, 38, (photo) said he had more customers today than during the MCO period.

"These customers had an emergency. They needed glasses. Our industry should have been considered a health service but the government (previously) didn't allow us to open.

"Without glasses, some people are as good as blind," he said.

Wong said he has served eight customers in the morning alone which was a good sign, as during the MCO period, he would average four to five a day.

"Today is better. All cases were emergencies. But what about tomorrow?" asked Wong.

As for additional measures, Wong said any spectacles handled by customers would be soaked in a bucket for disinfection purposes.

Aishah Zambiri, 46, who sold accessories for uniformed bodies, expected business will pick up because what she sold was a necessity for many.

"Alhamdulillah, we can open the shop. Other accessory shops are closed so many (uniformed personnel) have to come to us," she said.

During the interview, three police personnel dropped by to buy berets.

Volume not increasing

For Aishah, her biggest worry now was that her suppliers are located in the Masjid India area in downtown Kuala Lumpur, which was under lockdown.

All business owners told Malaysiakini that they have conducted disinfection exercises on their premises. Some received advice directly from the fire and rescue department on the proper procedures.

Several business owners, who have been operating since the MCO began, said the volume of business today was the same as the previous week, even as Malaysians slowly return to work.

A sundry shop owner who wished to be known only as Baharudin, 53, said he experienced fewer customers today and speculated that people have left for work even before he opened his shop at 8.30am.

He said business was decent during the MCO period because there were customers who preferred his shop than shopping at a supermarket, where they would have to queue. - Mkini