SHOPPING malls red flagged under the Hotspots Identification for Dynamic Engagement (HIDE) have shuttered as directed by National Security Council.

HIDE had identified 150 premises as possible places for Covid-19 hotspots.

The retail and shopping associations appeared to comply with the order after having demanded that Putrajaya cease announcing further information via HIDE until the information is established to be clear, accurate and precise. 

The call was made by three associations representing the shopping mall and retail industries nationwide in a joint statement today, namely Malaysia Shopping Malls Association, Malaysia Retailers Association and Malaysia Retail Chain Association.

“We believe that in view of the inaccurate information on the hotspot listing, this call to close for sanitisation is premature and will cause irreversible damage to perception and business recovery and survival,” they said in a statement last night.

Among the popular complexes on the list are Sunway Pyramid, Melawati Mall, NU Sentral, Pavilion and The Curve.

A check by The Malaysian Insight at several shopping malls and supermarkets in the Klang Valley showed that many had complied.

Neighbourhood mall Subang Parade was shuttered as was the Sunway Pyramid which is located just 3km away

Although the malls were closed, customers weren’t aware of the situation which caused some confusion among the public.

At Sunway Pyramid, the police and staff were present to let the customers know that the mall was closed after it was flagged as a hotspot. 

Supermarkets flagged as possible Covid-19 flashpoint were also closed.

Jaya Grocer Bukit Jelutong was shut and many consumers who had come to shop made a U-turn when told by staff.

The MYDIN Seksyen 18 staff told The Malaysian Insight that flyers were distributed to consumers who came to shop.

“Since morning, a lot of customers have showed up here and were puzzled why it was closed.

“I don’t think people are very aware with this whole HIDE technology that was launched by the government.

“Even us employees weren’t very aware of the situation until we were told by our manager,” said an employee who wanted to be known as Siti.

Yesterday, Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that premises, including Ramadan and Aidilfitri bazaars, listed in the HIDE system as high-risk locations in the spread of Covid-19 are to be ordered for three days with immediate effect.

HIDE will give important data to the Health Ministry and other authorities to take early pre-emptive targeted action to avoid clusters at a hotspot

Also yesterday Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said Malaysia could record almost 7,000 new Covid-19 cases daily by the end of May or early June if people fail to comply with prescribed standard operating procedures (SOP).

The director-general of health said Malaysia was initially projected to record about 3,000 cases by mid-May and 5,000 cases by the end of the month. – May 9, 2021.