Business owners balk at new MySejahtera rules

 

Some retailers are upset over the new rule beginning May 1 that will require them to inspect the MySejahtera application of their patrons.

Property owners and businesses are expected to deny entry to those who are Covid-19 positive or those who are handed a home surveillance order.

Currently, visitors to any building are only required to scan the MySejahtera QR code as part of a check-in procedure to facilitate Covid-19 contact tracing efforts.

According to Free Malaysia Today, Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd boss Ameer Ali Mydin said the new rule was "most ridiculous" and his fellow retailers are all wondering how it could be implemented.

"It should not be the mall owners' responsibility to worry about the public," he said.

SME Association of Malaysia vice-president Chin Chee Seong also expressed his concern, saying that this system was flawed because not everyone will report that they are Covid-19 positive through the MySejahtera application.

"It has got worse. Before this, individuals would just have to scan their phones to check-in. Now they have to show their phones to enter businesses," he said.

Federation of Malaysian Business Associations vice-chairperson Raymond Woo said people might resort to falsifying their MySejahtera information by simply showing a screenshot.

"The onus is on citizens to play their part," he said. "It is difficult for businesses to check if (the information presented) is from MySejahtera or a screenshot."

Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association president J Suresh told Free Malaysia Today that this new rule was an added responsibility for business owners.

He said in the case of his association members, many are already facing labour shortages.

"They should be making it easier for restaurant operators, especially during this current labour shortage. If you ask us to do this manually, it’s just going to be another thing to worry about."

Beginning May 1, Putrajaya will no longer require Malaysians to record their visits to premises outside their homes, either on paper or through the MySejahtera application. - Mkini