KUALA LUMPUR: The ongoing Movement Control Order (MCO) which has seen movement curtailed nationwide has not stopped newspaper distributors from delivering the daily news to readers.
Despite facing various challenges including severe financial constraints due to the inability to operate, they have a sense of responsibility to the community.
The vendors are soldiering on, operating from as early as 3am to ensure that the public remain updated on the country's goings-on.
Perak Indian Newspaper Vendors Association president P Karthik said since the implementation of MCO, many newspaper distributors had lost their source of income after many premises and roadside stalls were ordered to close.
“There is a high demand for newspapers. Unfortunately the people cannot go out to buy. However, we should not blame anyone because no one asked for the Covid-19 pandemic to happen,” he said.
He said many newspaper vendors in the state were currently jobless and in need of government assistance.
“It is our responsibility to deliver newspapers in order for us to survive,” he said, hoping that the employers would provide distributors with face masks, gloves, and raincoats as protection against potential infection.
A newspaper vendor in Johor Chin Ooi Faa said the demand for newspapers was hampered by the closure of many premises in the country during the MCO period.
“Many distributors were unable to work as they were stopped by the authorities during patrols.
“Hence, we are hoping that the government could give us some leeway so that the newspapers can reach the readers,” he said.
The New Straits Times Press (NSTP) Circulation Department head of sales M Prakash said it was his responsibility to ensure that newspapers reach the market and customers.
“Although there are some challenges as many sundry shops, public markets, and roadside stalls were ordered to close, we managed to overcome them for the sake of the readers.”