KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 1 — The government will not completely close the economic sector even when implementing the Movement Control Order (MCO) as it will adversely affect petty traders, said Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
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He said the government had decided on this to strike a balance between lives and livelihoods although there were calls from various quarters to shut down the economic sector to curb the spike in COVID-19 cases.
“I have received many WhatsApp messages from petty traders and roadside traders saying it would be very tough for them if they are not allowed to operate during the MCO period.
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“Some of them said they had depleted their savings to keep their families going. Although we allow the stall operators to do takeaway service, their income has dropped by 50 per cent,” he told reporters after inspecting a roadblock at the Gombak toll plaza here today.
Ismail Sabri said the government has to protect the economic interests of the poor, especially the B40 group.- BERNAMA