TRADE associations are seeking meetings with several state governments, which have delayed the conditional movement-control order (CMCO), to urge them to reconsider the decision so that businesses hard hit by the coronavirus can restart.

They are currently trying to meet Sarawak, Sabah, Pahang and Penang to discuss how the restrictions can be relaxed in certain areas of their states.

The Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Association is proposing plans for businesses to resume in “green zone” districts.

Green zones are areas without Covid-19 case, yellow (1-20 cases), orange (21-40) and red (41 and above).

The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM), meanwhile, said Putrajaya’s decision to allow most industries to reopen under the CMCO was based on sound data on the infection rates.

However, state-based business guilds in Penang are supportive of their state government’s decisions and will abide by rules set by the local authorities.

The CMCO allows industries and businesses to resume operations on condition that they adhere to the strict guidelines on social distancing and hygiene standards.

Sarawak, Sabah, Pahang, Selangor and Penang have decided to either delay implementing the CMCO or modify the protocols to allow for a gradual reopening of their respective economies.

“Our state associations have contacted the authorities to meet up and discuss the standard operating procedure that can be applied during the CMCO,” said SME association president Michael Kang.

“We could start opening up at the green zones and consider the yellow zones based on how serious the situation is. But there should definitely be no business in red zones,” Kang told The Malaysian Insight.

“We are worried that because of the partial lockdown, more people will lose their jobs. We understand that there are many out there that need to provide for their families.”

He hopes that the state governments will hear their pleas and allow certain sectors to operate.

“Maybe they could open the factories but the food stalls should remain closed.”

FMM chairman Soh Thian Lai said since economic supply chains cross state borders, states that don’t allow businesses to resume will affect trade in other regions.

State governments should be assured that all factory operations under the CMCO will be governed by the SOP on hygiene.

“Furthermore, as reported in the media on May 1, following the announcement from the prime minister, businesses located in the enhanced MCO areas will not be allowed to resume operations,” Soh said.

“Any further fear of infections and spread of the virus among employees in these areas should be alleviated.”

Soh said states should not forbid companies from resuming businesses as with the CMCO, such a decision will be up to individual business owners.

Sabah relaxed some restrictions even though it has said it will not fully implement the CMCO, according to the regional chapter of the SME association.

In Kota Kinabalu, about five hardware stores are allowed to open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, said Sabah SME association president Foo Ngee Kee.

“Last week, the state government also allowed some computer stores, stationery stores, and photocopy shops to open in Kota Kinabalu,” said Foo.

He added that the Sabah chapter is appealing to the state to allow micro-enterprises, comprising fewer than five employees to resume business.

“This is so that they can earn some income to pay suppliers, salaries and utilities, while practising social distancing,” Foo said, adding that such enterprises make up about 77% of businesses in Sabah.

In Penang, the Seberang Perai SME association supports the state’s decision to delay reopening most of the economy until the MCO itself expires on May 12.

“SMEs in Penang are dominated by the service industries, such as retail stores and tourism,” said Seberang Perai SME association president Francis Wong.

“Even if they are fully open and resume work, no one is willing to come to the shopping mall. We respect Penang’s decision and will wait for it to review the situation on May 8.

“Perhaps after the lifting of the MCO on May 12, we can resume work at 100%. So, we will observe the MCO for another week.”

The MCO was enforced to curb the Covid-19 outbreak, which has so far infected 6,467 and killed 107. – May 8, 2020.