KUALA LUMPUR: Thirteen business associations and coalitions are pushing for the government to allow nightclubs and pubs to resume operations immediately.
In a joint appeal to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and National Security Council (NSC) director Datuk Rodzi Md Saad, they urged the government to repeal the "negative list" under Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) that restricts the operation of nightclubs and pubs.
"We are very elated to note that the majority of states have made the transition to Phase 4 of the NRP, effective October 18, 2021, with more relaxations of standard operating procedures (SOP) and the lifting of most restrictions.
"However, we are extremely perturbed that even under the final Phase 4, there is still a negative list including nightclubs and pubs not being allowed to open.
"There is absolutely no information on the route to exit the negative list.
"We feel that the negative list may have inadvertently not been abolished and it is of utmost urgency to do so.
"With the entire country having achieved 94 per cent full vaccination of the adult population, as of Oct 19, and having accepted the fact that Covid-19 is now endemic, the opening up of the entire economy with all businesses being allowed to operate, including nightclubs and pubs, should be implemented immediately," they said.
With international tourism set to resume soon, the groups stressed that the country will lose out on perks for foreign tourists if nightclubs and pubs remain closed.
"With the opening of interstate travel and domestic tourism currently, we envisage the opening to international tourism soon and the entertainment sector, including nightclubs and pubs, will be sought after by international tourists as well.
"If this sector is destroyed and does not rehabilitate sufficiently to operate, our country will lose out one of the perks for international tourists in competition to our neighbouring countries as a travel destination.
"Nightclubs and pubs, especially, were totally closed since the start of the pandemic and this resulted in almost total annihilation of this industry, except for the few operators who have managed to pivot to food and beverage and other businesses.
"The longer it remains closed, the closer we are to total annihilation of this sector," they said.
The groups said, the closure of nightclubs and pubs had also led to workers in the creative, entertainment and gig industry to completely lose their source of income since they are unable to perform now.
"Since the beginning of the pandemic, most of them have been forced to seek other sources of income to survive.
"With the current SOP relaxations, some have now resorted to busking but income is uncertain and subject to the generosity of the public and location.
"In addition to the operators, the industry estimates (at least) 150,000-250,000 (direct and indirect) jobs are at stake with the continuous closure of the nightlife and entertainment industries.
"Currently, all nightlife and entertainment outlets are in hibernation mode with the majority of our employees on unpaid leave. They are currently supported by the Wage Subsidy Programme along with other sources of temporary employment.
"Should the authorities continue the prolonged closure with no exit roadmap in place, businesses will be forced to shut down and we will see a much larger group of claimants for Employment Insurance Scheme (EIS) in the coming days," they said.
This "tsunami" of unemployment claims, they said, will further burden the government and the Social Security Organisation (Socso).
The groups also pointed out that reopening entertainment outlets, including cinemas, theme parks, night clubs and pubs, are essential to the people's mental and emotional wellbeing, after being confined at home for over one and a half years.
While strict compliance to SOPs is necessary, the groups dismissed the need for any negative lists with Covid-19 being endemic.
This move, they said, will allow all businesses to embark on a positive recovery journey and expedite the country's economic recovery.
The thirteen business groups that made the appeal were Industries Unite (IU), Malaysian Association of Theme Park and Family Attractions (MATFA), Malaysia Shopping Malls Association, Malaysia Retailers Association (MRA), Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA), Bumiputra Retailers Organisation (BRO), Malaysia REIT Managers Association (MRMA), the Malaysian Association of Film Exhibitors (MAFE), F&B Connects (FBCM), Hospitality Asia (HAPA), Malaysian Food & Beverage Exec Association (MFBEA), Persatuan Pemilik Restoran dan Bistro (PPRB) and Professional Culinaire Association (PCAM).