Lau Pang Heng
KUCHING (July 3): A 10-day survey in Kota Sentosa and Kuching from June 18 to 28 showed that many are affected by the Covid-19 lockdown since May 29, with hawkers’ business and income dropping by 60 per cent during the current lockdown, said PSB Kota Sentosa representative Datuk Dr Lau Pang Heng.
In a statement today, he said he had interviewed 362 persons based on a list of 6,000 persons in the master list.
“The respondents comprised of 50 per cent hawkers, 30 per cent small and medium enterprises (SME) and 20 per cent petty traders.
“Petty traders confirmed that their business have dropped 55 per cent as compared to before Movement Control Order (MCO) 3.0 lockdown. Their livelihood was badly affected,” he said.
As for SMEs, Lau said their business were affected with 60 per cent of them interviewed said their operation were closed during the MCO 3.0.
“With no income but they still need to pay the staff salaries. Government financial assistance is not sufficient to help them. The other 40 per cent whose factories are allowed to operate but with workforce of 30 per cent as imposed by the authority, has reduced factory production. Those interviewed in the hotel industry felt the same pinch.
“SME felt that the government financial assistance did not provide financial assistance to individuals and companies to protect people and businesses from the devastating impact of prolonged lockdowns. Measures to enable people to make a living and businesses to operate safely are missing from National People’s Well-Being and Economic Recovery Package (Pemulih) and the previous eight preceding packages,” he said.
Lau further informed that all the sectors agreed with the MCO to contain the spike in Covid-19 cases.
“All sectors interviewed confirmed that government’s financial assistance will help them to stabilise their income but it will not help them to recover.
“The government’s loan moratorium may relieve their financial burden but they hope the government can provide interest free loan during this difficult time,” he added.
Based on the findings, Lau felt that the MCO has not helped to reduce the spread of Covid-19 and instead added hardship among the population.
He said that many are asking whether the MCO, lockdown, standard operating procedures (SOP), economic sectors and workforce restrictions have helped to reduce the number of cases in the past 30 days.
“People are suffering from Covid-19 MCO and extended lockdown. Have the actions taken by the authority helped to reduce the number of cases? We let the people to judge.
“Many are putting up white flags to call for help. Economy has been affected. Hawkers, SME and petty traders’ business are down. Does it mean that the SOP needs closer examination and rectification based on data and scientific methods?” he questioned.