‘Time to reopen pubs and bars’
Published on: Tuesday, June 30, 2020
By: Sohan Das
LABUAN: The Labuan Chinese Chamber of Commerce (LCCC) said that it is time that the government establish the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to enable components of the entertainment industry such as pubs, bars and karaokes to resume business.“Being closed for too long may result in some closing for good due to inability to meet payments after the moratorium and with dwindled resources,” said LCCC Chairman, Datuk Wong Kii Yii (pic).
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He said: “The entertainment industry here should not be viewed as a local fun activity but a significant contributor to the local economy. The industry helps enhance the island’s appeal to visitors as a rest and recreation centre…the island is stress-free and booze is cheap.”
He said if more visitors come, not only the entertainment industry would benefit but also hotels, transport sector and food operators.
Wong said he welcomed the government opening up of more sectors with strict SOPs. Sectors to be opened next month include spas, reflexology centre and cinemas. Four-digit outlets have already been opened up earlier.
“Along the same lines, consideration should also be given to the entertainment outlets with stricter SOPs such as crowed limit, social distancing, temperature checks and registering personal details and having sanitisers and proper entry and exit lanes,” said Wong.
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Wong also drew attention to the point that some of the operators of entertainment outlets had to pay rental of RM20,000 or more depending on the space and this was a big sum for an island with a small population. Landlords have not given much discounts on rentals. Equipment lying idle risk being damaged and becoming an added liability.
The government should also intervene to ensure that the operators of the industry were exempted of payment to the Music Rights Malaysia as copyright fees for the year. The fee amounts from RM6,000 to RM16,000, depending on space of the premises. The local operating fees paid to the local authority should also be discounted.
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He said the Economic Stimulus Package of RM260 billion had little impact on the industry.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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