‘Pasar malam’ back with very few customers but better than nothing, say traders
Traders say business has been slow, with many barely making enough to get by.
For night market traders who, like many other non-essential businesses, were told to remain closed throughout the movement control order (MCO) period, the green light to set up their stalls again after weeks of zero business has brought on a sense of relief which, although superficial, is better than none at all.
Many of them rely entirely on what they earn at these markets, popularly known as pasar malam, and news that they would not be allowed to operate under the reinstated MCO had hit hard.
“If we have to close completely during the MCO, it’s a gone case for us since we don’t have a monthly salary,” a trader at a night market in Petaling Jaya told MalaysiaNow.
“Our salary is based on our work.”
So when the government announced on Feb 4 that several business sectors including night markets would be allowed to resume operations, many traders breathed a sigh of relief.
This followed an earlier announcement on Jan 29 that night markets would be allowed to reopen subject to strict SOPs.
Traders had questioned the directive to shut down under the MCO, noting that morning markets were still allowed to operate despite the restrictions on movements.
Enforced on Jan 13, the movement restrictions saw only a handful of businesses such as restaurants and essential services allowed to stay open.
A trader at the Kuala Lumpur market selling fried snacks said business had been slow, so much so that he wondered if people realised that night markets were now allowed to open.
“This is still only the first week, and there are people out there who are unaware that we’re allowed to be out here,” he told MalaysiaNow.
But slow business is not the only problem for these traders, many of whom must cross district borders in order to get to work.
“Even coming to work is hard because I have to come all the way from Kuala Lumpur,” one trader said.
“There are a lot of road blocks, and it takes longer than usual to get here and go back.”
The end of the MCO, currently slated for Feb 18, may help boost business for night market traders.
Until then, though, they can only cross their fingers and hope.
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