KUCHING: During the movement control order (MCO), times are hard for everyone.
Some businesses have come to a complete halt while others are left with no choices but to adapt by going digital and online.
Fishmonger Nickholas Malek ,29, decided to sell his fish in his own village instead of driving all the way to Bandar Riyal in Kota Samarahan.
“Moving here and there was really challenging during the MCO, with police roadblocks on the way to Kota Samarahan. If the police tell us to go back, we have to comply with their orders,” said the 29-year-old.
He is glad his business at his family home in Kampung Quop is doing well.
“The villagers know me well and will always go to my house to buy fish as well as chickens,” said Nickholas
He felt that the government should ease the travelling restrictions as more customers were now going to markets.
“I need more customers to buy my fish and the market at Bandar Riyal is a good place to do business,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jason Brown, who had been selling burgers for a few years, had to close his stall because of the MCO.
Jason, 39, said the MCO really hit him hard as he lost his income from selling burgers.
“It used to be good before with people around buying burgers at my stall.
“Now we just have to wait and see if the restrictions will be lifted,” he added.
“My stall was just at my home and my source of income came from the villagers in Kampung Quop.
“The order to close the business since the MCO began was really heart-breaking. I need my business to survive through the Covid-19 pandemic,” added Jason.
Michael Ho, a 31-year-old noodle seller, also from Kampung Quop, said his stall had been closed since a spike in the Covid-19 positive cases at the beginning of the year.
“I hope the government will allow small businesses to operate, especially in the villages if all the people have been vaccinated of course.
“In my view, we just have to wait until August. Maybe if the state has achieved herd immunity by then, then it can implement the recovery movement control order (RMCO).
“Our economy will improve when the businesses reopen.
“I am sure those in the food business in the city areas are looking forward to the lifting of the ban on dining in,” he said.
