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All in-store goods at convenience stores and grocery shops can be sold during the total lockdown period, according to a new clarification provided by the National Security Council (MKN) earlier today, 7 June
Free Malaysia Today reported MKN director-general Mohd Rabin Basir saying that Senior Minister For Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob would offer more clarity on the matter later today.
“We allow grocery and convenience stores to sell any in-store goods, that is not a problem,” he said.
Prior to this, the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry had prohibited the sale of “non-essential” goods during the period
Following which, businesses cordoned off parts of their stores for fear of being fined.
According to Rabin, MKN will review the fines that were imposed on stores that had failed to section off their “non-essential” items on a case-by-case basis going forward.
The ruling by the Ministry had led to a social media backlash.
Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi said his Ministry will abide by the MKN’s decision, as it was the “highest decision-making body”, according a report in Malaysiakini.
He explained that the previous ruling was to prevent overcrowding in such stores.
“That’s why the initial ruling was made like that,” he said.
A MR.DIY store with its “non-essential” items cordoned off earlier today, 7 June.
Image via Alyssa J. Oon/SAYS