THE federal and state governments must provide assistance to affected traders after 22 Ramadan bazaars in six states and Kuala Lumpur were ordered shut due to the spread of Covid-19, said Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said both federal and state governments must not stay silent after the closure of the bazaars.

“I recommend financial assistance or whatever is appropriate for the traders.

“Some of them must have used their own money to buy stocks and so on. They do not have daily income as well.

“It would be hard if they had to bear huge losses, especially in the current situation of Covid-19 pandemic,” he said in a post on Facebook.

Zahid said he was not sure how many traders were affected by the closure but understood that the decision was made for the benefit of the public.

In the meantime, he hoped operating Ramadan bazaars would continue to adhere to Covid-19 standard operating procedure (SOP) set by the authorities.

The Housing and Local Government Ministry on Friday ordered the operation of 22 Ramadan bazaars in Kuala Lumpur as well as Johor, Kedah, Pahang, Perak, Penang and Selangor to cease effective yesterday after being identified as high-risk areas.

The directive involved two Ramadan bazaars in Kuala Lumpur, four in Johor, three in Kedah, two in Pahang, one in Perak, eight in Penang and two in Selangor.

In another development, Malay-daily Berita Harian reported that the organiser of an Aidilfitri bazaar in Tasek Gelugor, Penang was fined RM20,000 after failing to adhere to the SOP, causing congestion and no physical distancing.

Seberang Perai Utara police chief Noorzainy Mohd Noor was quoted as saying that the compound was issued after the organiser was reprimanded several times before.

Only 400 people were allowed to enter the Ramadan bazaar but the turnout exceeded that figure during an inspection by authorities last night. – May 2, 2021.