Let us open for CNY, business groups appeal to govt

 

Retailers and other businesses want to salvage whatever sales that can be achieved from seasonal CNY stocks.

PETALING JAYA: Business groups have urged the government to allow shops to open for Chinese New Year sales during the movement control order.

In a joint statement, the groups called for standard operating procedures that enabled all businesses, especially those selling apparel, accessories and shoes, to reopen and for eateries to receive dine-in customers.

They said they had submitted a letter of appeal to the domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry on Feb 5, which had agreed to discuss the matter during a virtual meeting yesterday.

“We have earnestly expressed the urgency of this matter due to the short time left to conduct Chinese New Year festive sales so that our retailers and other businesses can try to salvage whatever sales they can from the seasonal stocks and to mitigate expected losses,” said the statement.

According to the statement, the ministry will table the agreed proposals for approval at the next meeting of the National Security Council (MKN), expected over the next few days.

The government has received widespread criticism for its SOPs for the Chinese New Year celebrations next week, with politicians and other individuals claiming they are culturally tone-deaf and calling for the rules to be rectified.

Among others, the SOPs restrict the reunion dinner to just the family members staying in the same home. The reunion is an important aspect of CNY celebrations.

Following the public backlash, the national unity ministry has said it will raise the views and appeals of the Chinese community to the MKN, adding that any changes to the guidelines will be announced by senior minister for security Ismail Sabri Yaakob. - FMT