GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Night Market Malay Traders Association (PPPMPP) is in no hurry to resume business despite being allowed to do so starting tomorrow.
PPPMPP adviser Abu Kasim Bakar said they were discussing with the authorities the standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to the reopening of business.
"There are very strict SOPs that the traders need to comply with. We are ironing out the details.
"Our priority is to ensure the safety of all who throng the night markets, be they visitors or traders. So we are not in a hurry now," he told the New Sunday Times.
Penang Island City Council Mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang said they met the organisers of 41 night markets on the island on Friday to discuss the reopening of night markets.
He said only 10 organisers were keen to resume businesses, while the others were in no hurry.
"Even then, the 10 organisers are mindful of the strict SOPs issued by the National Security Council (NSC) that they need to comply with. They have been coming back to us to seek advice to improve their preparations.
"They may not start this Monday, but will do so once everything is in place," he said, adding that this included crowd control when businesses resumed.
Yew said the night market organisers on the island were taking a careful approach to avoid any action being taken against them by the council or other law enforcement authorities.
In Ipoh, some 4,000 night markets traders here have yet to decide whether to reopen businesses tomorrow following strict SOPs set by the local authority.
Kinta Mobile Night Market Malay Traders Association chairman Jaafar Uthman said the Ipoh City Council (MBI) had set strict procedures and some traders had yet to decide whether they could follow them.
"We had a meeting with MBI yesterday (Friday), where the council briefed us on the SOPs. However, many still had queries about the SOPs.
"Those who sell accessories and garments are not allowed to reopen businesses. Night market traders are also not allowed to cook at the site. What about those who sell murtabak, roti john, apam balik and fried chicken? They need to cook these dishes there instead of at home.
"The traders still have time to think about it. These SOPs have been introduced by the council, so they have no choice but to follow them," he said.
Ipoh Morning and Night Market Traders Association chairman Wong Kok Hoe said the association members had yet to decide whether to reopen businesses following the strict SOPs set by the council.
"If they are willing to follow the SOPs, then they can reopen their businesses. Most of them are not agreeable that food traders are not allowed to cook at the site.
"I will know their decision tomorrow (today) before informing the council whether we are willing to follow the SOPs. If most of us are not ready to follow (SOPs), there is no point in reopening the night markets."
On Wednesday, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu announced that open markets, morning markets, night markets and bazaars were allowed to reopen in stages beginning tomorrow.
State Housing, Local Government and Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi said different councils had different SOPs that need to followed by night market traders.
"We have 15 local councils in Perak and each has different SOPs. We have limited space for traders and that is one of the reasons why they are not allowed to cook there.
"This is our first time handling such a situation due to Covid-19.
"In the future, we may allow them (to cook at the night market) should they abide by the strict conditions set by councils.
"It is not easy to please everyone. I hope night market traders will understand our situation and reopen their businesses."
In Kangar, the Kangar Municipal Council (MPK) has decided to postpone the reopening of night and daily markets in Perlis.
MPK said yesterday the postponement was to ensure that the reopening of businesses was carried out in full compliance with the SOPs issued by the National Security Council.
Bernama quoted MPK as saying that it was fine-tuning the operations pertaining to the reopening of night and daily markets.
MPK is also planning to set up regulated hawker bazaars (bazaar penjaja terkawal) at selected locations and would make an announcement on the matter soon.