Kuala Lumpur: After a two-week-long campaign to be allowed to operate in areas under the Movement Control Order (MCO), pasar malam traders nationwide are expected to resume business as early as Friday.
An update on standard operating procedures (SOP) posted on the National Security Council’s (NSC) Telegram feed last night listed night markets as among businesses allowed to operate in areas under the MCO.
The guideline update further stated that pasar malam can operate from 4pm to 10pm.
In KL, Pertubuhan Pengurusan Pasar Malam Kuala Lumpur secretary Roy James Charles said the association was informed by City Hall (DBKL) today that traders can resume business immediately.
He, however, said the greenlight was restricted to the 55 pasar malam City Hall had approved for operations during the Conditional MCO.
“We were told that foodstuff and telephone accessory shops are allowed to operate under the new SOP, which would be announced later - but traders selling clothes would be disallowed.”
Roy said that the traders would stick to the rules and go ahead with business under strict observation of SOP.
“We hope to be back to trading as early as today and continue with the appeal to include clothes hawkers.”
It is understood that the NSC and DBKL are in the midst of hammering out the updated details for operating during the MCO.
Pasar malam traders earlier cried foul over the NSC’s move to disallow them from trading – but approving morning markets and other such open facilities – despite previously shutting them down during the MCO 1.0.
They also noted that food stalls and restaurants had been allowed to extend their trading hours to 10pm, while pasar malam are not even given a chance to operate.
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the NSC would weigh on appeals made by pasar malam, barbers and hairdressers, as well as car wash operators soon.
