THE conditional movement-control order (MCO), which sees most economic sectors resuming business today after nearly seven weeks of a partial lockdown, is a lifeline for Malay traders ahead of the Hari Raya festivities.

The conditional lifting of restrictions will help more than 700,000 Malay small and medium enterprises, which collectively employ around seven million workers, said Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia president Abdul Halim Husin.

“Businesses will be able to resume some cash flow. They need to be able to operate to keep companies going, to have business continuity and sustainability,” he said.

However, traders must not take advantage of consumers just because of the upcoming Aidilfitri celebrations, said Halim. 

Even though Hari Raya is set to fall on May 24, consumers are likely spend cautiously as many face pay cuts or job losses as a result of the MCO, in place since March 18.

“This is a time to ensure survival, not make a killing from Hari Raya sales,” he said, adding that traders must follow health standard operating procedures (SOP) on social distancing among workers and customers, as well as hygiene practices, such as using sanitisers and wearing masks.

While the SOP may result in fewer customers than in previous Hari Raya seasons, Halim said traders must put public health and people’s lives ahead of profit.

“We are in business for the long run, so don’t raise prices to make up for all the losses sustained in recent weeks.”

Malay Economic Action Council CEO Ahmad Yazid Othman urged the public to support SMEs in their Hari Raya shopping and for Muslim consumers to buy from Malay traders.

“They will need support after two months of little or no income because of the MCO.

“The conditional MCO is helpful so that they can earn something, although additional support from the government may still be required in the long run. 

“But traders must be firm that health SOP is observed as the country is still fighting the Covid-19 pandemic,” Yazid said.

While restaurants are allowed to open under the conditional MCO, Ramadan bazaars and carnivals are still banned as they risk people gathering in groups.

Besides bazaars and sales carnivals, cinemas, karaoke centres, reflexology centres, entertainment outlets, theme parks, nightclubs and all conferences, seminars and exhibitions are also barred.

Fashion and clothing businessman Hafiz Abdul Walid Mohd Zain agrees that traders should not be too eager to recoup their losses as the country’s priority is still the war against the coronavirus.

He expects a smaller profit this year, after earning nearly RM1 million last year from a RM500,000 investment in Hari Raya clothing for men and women.

“I will be selling a smaller collection of outfits this year – around 20,000 outfits spread across my three outlets – unlike the 30,000 to 40,000 outfits I sold last year,” said the 28-year-old.

Hafiz said the government’s announcement on Friday to allow economic sectors to resume operations today took him by surprise.

“We won’t be able to hit the ground running. I still need to organise my staff. Advertisements and promotions are not ready yet. It will be chaotic if we were to open for full service immediately.”

He hoped sales revenue from his three outlets will be able to sustain his business for a few months after Hari Raya.

Anything beyond that, in this “new normal”, is something to plan for another day, said Hafiz.

Yesterday, the Health Ministry reported 122 new infections, bringing the total number of Covid-19 cases in the country to 6,298. – May 4, 2020.