KUALA LUMPUR: Associations representing shopping malls and retail industries today called for the suspension of data derived from the Hotspot Identification by Dynamic Engagement (HIDE) system.
In a joint statement, the Malaysia Shopping Malls Association, Malaysia Retailers Association (MRA), and Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) said the Science, Technology, and Innovation Ministry (Mosti) should suspend announcing information from HIDE until a clear, accurate, and precise basis can accompany the information released.
The move, they said, would give the public adequate and precise information to make an informed judgment and establish their level of comfort and confidence.
"The first release of the HIDE information, which includes several shopping malls, has unfairly created more uncertainty, panic, and fear.
"We believe that the HIDE assessment is grossly unfair to shopping malls and retailers who have invested so much on safety and control and adhered closely to standard operating procedures (SOP) as determined by the authorities."
The associations said data from the Health Ministry clearly show that the top three incidences of Covid-19 are factories with 48.06 per cent, followed by community spread (12.5 per cent), construction (11.56 per cent), while shopping or shop areas only comprise 4.78 per cent.
"Therefore, clarification needs to be accurately provided as to the incidence of infections between shopping malls and shopping areas."
The associations said as HIDE data uses information from the MySejahtera application, places and venues with higher incidences of patrons who are inclined more to use manual registrations are automatically not taken into account and further distort the accuracy of the HIDE information on hotspots.
"Thus, those without records are even more risky locations and potential hotspots and these should be highlighted for public awareness.
"It would be a complete irony and a huge peril if HIDE is unable to identify these places, simply due to the lack of such data.
"Ironically, this will inadvertently direct and encourage the public to patronise such poorly regulated places with the misguided belief that these places are much safer."
Meanwhile, on the announcement by Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob that premises listed under HIDE will be required to close for three days for sanitisation, the associations said it was a premature decision.
"This would cause irreversible damage to perception and business recovery and survival.
"This proposed closure should be held in abeyance until the data used in HIDE has been confirmed accurate and the hotspot locations are accurately identified."
The associations also reiterated that the safety of shoppers remains a top priority at shopping malls and with all required SOP in place including enhanced and regular cleaning and sanitisation measures, malls are safe places to visit.
"The earnest and diligent adherence to the SOP at shopping malls would appear to have, unfortunately, backfired and inadvertently punished the malls."
Earlier today, the government published the first list of premises flagged as potential Covid-19 hotspots that were identified through HIDE.
Mosti minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the publication of the list will help the public make reasonable travel plans and decisions before heading to a location or venue to avoid risks of getting infected by Covid-19.