VEGETABLES from the wholesale market in Selayang, Gombak, are expected to increase by 30% to 70% because of the limited manpower under new rules for operations during the movement-control order period.

Stall owners at the market, which is the main distribution hub for fresh produce to other markets, shops and supermarkets in the Klang Valley, have reduced their stock to cope with the requirement that they use only local labour, said Kuala Lumpur Vegetables Wholesalers’ Association chairman Wong Keng Fatt.

“The government only allows local workers to enter the wholesale market but it is difficult to hire locals. 

“If the shortage of manpower continues, this situation (the price increase) will probably continue,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Foreigners provide the bulk of labour at the market but many of these workers are now under an enhanced movement-control order (EMCO), imposed on northern Kuala Lumpur and Selayang, Selangor, affecting thousands living around the wholesale market.

The market was closed for four days last week for sanitation works against Covid-19 and is now operating at almost 50% capacity.

Only 110 out of the 216 stalls are operating in the last two days.

Wong said the authorities now require anyone entering the wholesale market to show proof that they have tested negative for Covid-19.

This applies to workers, transport or logistics handlers and consumers, and has caused an overall decline in customers.

“The cost of a Covid-19 test (private healthcare facility) is between RM400 and RM600 and after that, you have to wait for the report, so even if someone completes the test, it will take a few days to get the result.”

Another impact of this requirement is that while the stock of vegetables at the market is sufficient, supply cannot be transported out to other smaller markets for the time being.

As such, he said the price of vegetables will be higher than usual for some time.

The EMCO for the northern Kuala Lumpur area is until May 3 and some 15,000 residents and workers living there will be screened for Covid-19, said Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa.

In addition, the Selayang daily market was closed on April 21 and has yet to resume business.

The daily market’s adviser Yap Chin Chon said Ramadan is usually a good time for traders and hawkers but many are now left with no income.

He hoped that the relevant authorities could look into allowing the market to resume operations, as food supply is an essential service under the MCO.

Malaysia now has 5,820 cases of Covid-19 with the death toll at 99. – April 28, 2020.