SMALL business owners want the government to employ other methods of containment for the Covid-19 pandemic instead of the conditional movement-control order (CMCO), which throttles economic activity.

Kuala Selangor goat farmer Mohd Faisal Idris told The Malaysian Insight the country was only just recovering from the effects of the March MCO.

“The government must find another way to manage Covid-19, it must no longer use the CMCO. They must find a way that does not stifle economic activity,” said the 70-year-old.

Farmers like him could not make enough to sustain their business during the MCO period.

“Agricultural activity may continue as usual but how much produce can be sold when the supermarkets are restricted?

“When the school canteens and dining halls in boarding schools are closed, the operators do not need to stock up their kitchens.

“So, where do we sell our produce? A lot of it will be left to rot on the farm,” Faisal said.

A CMCO in the nation’s business hubs of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Selangor, would have an impact on the economy as these places are the business hub, said Faisal.

Kuala Selangor fisherman Md Rafi Sabrab said his catch would not fetch good prices during the CMCO period.

“One could go out to sea but if selling the catch is going to be difficult, that would be just a waste of time and effort.

“When the middleman does not take the fish or takes it at a lower price, we will not get much,” Rafi said.

On Monday, National Security Council (NSC) spokesman Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced a CMCO in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, effective until October 27.

Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari expressed surprise at the order, saying the state would submit counter-proposals to the NSC as the coronavirus outbreak is under control in some areas.

Marzuki Mohd Nor is worried the CMCO will force the closure of his vegetable stall at the Sg Yu market, as was the case under the MCO in March.

“We are now waiting for instructions from the authorities to see if we can continue to do business. If they say close, we will have to close,” he said.

The 69-year old was concerned Covid-19 would further spread without the CMCO.

“If we were to oppose it, that might come back to bite us. The areas where we live are still green and yellow. What if they become a red zone?” Marzuki said.

A visit to the fish market on Tuesday saw crowds of people panic buying a day after the announcement of the CMCO.

Traders who opened for business at 8am were sold out in two hours.

“This has never happened before. We usually do business until 2pm,” said Marzuki.

Fisherman Azmi Ahmad trusted that the government had made the right decision in enforcing a CMCO. Although his income would be affected, he said he would find other jobs.

“Our lives will be a little affected by the CMCO but there are other sources of income. We have to be diligent,” the 49-year old said.

Azmi said he would catch crabs to sell and get a gig harvesting oil palms to make money for his family.

Puncak Alam mosque custodian Zainal Abidin Sulaiman said the management would do as the state’s religious authorities ordered.

“We will follow the instructions of Jais. If they tell us to close at dawn tomorrow, we will close the mosque doors,” he said.

“The congregation are also prepared. I told them if Jais orders us to close, we will close,” he said.

According to the Health Ministry, Selangor has two red zones, Petaling and Klang, as of October 11. The remainder of the state is yellow zone save for Sabak Bernam, which is green.

The economic sector may operate as usual under a CMCO but educational institutions are closed. All religious, sports and social activities are prohibited. – October 17, 2020.