KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) has called on the government to allow all retail sectors to be reopened immediately with a continued strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs), following the ramping up of the Retail Industry Vaccination Programme (RIVP).
In a statement today, the MRCA said the reopening would ensure the survivability and sustainability of the retail sector.
The association said it was deeply concerned on the segregation of essential and non-essential sectors by the government as all businesses were interconnected in one way or another and cannot prosper on its own.
"In all fairness, all business owners consider their businesses as essential," it said, adding that MRCA welcomed the easing of restrictions following the announcement of the National Recovery Plan as a result of the increased vaccination rate under the National Immunisation Programme.
MRCA said all retail sectors had been irreversibly damaged and any further prolonged closure of the nonessentials sectors on Phase One and Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) lockdowns would further hurt the entire supply chain.
"Many retailers are on the brink of collapse as they are unable to generate any revenue to cover escalating monthly obligation such as rentals, salaries and debts, with the prospect of being taken to court by creditors."
It said most retailers are currently only relying on their own savings and loans after implementing maximum cost reduction internally.
"Without consistent monthly revenue coming in, any form of savings will be depleted eventually. Many are already suffering a deficit in terms of their cashflow," said MRCA.
With the vaccination ramp up and the strict adherence to SOPs, it said retailers should not be unduly "penalised" with the harsh business restrictions.
This was taken into account given that about 68 per cent of the country's adult population has received the first dose of the vaccine while 55.8 per cent of individuals of the Klang Valley has completed both doses of the vaccination.
MRCA said 98 per cent of new Covid-19 cases reported were of categories one and two involving asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients respectively.
"We trust the government can consider reopening the trade for those who have received full vaccination with two doses.
"We hope the government will offer more legal and financial support to protect retail businesses from untimely closure," it said, adding that the retail industry contributed 34.6 per cent of Malaysia gross domestic product in 2018.