KUALA LUMPUR: Any decision to allow pasar malam traders to resume their businesses will only be made at the National Security Council (NSC) meetings, together with the relevant authorities.
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob told the New Straits Times that the matter must first be tabled in a meeting with the Health Ministry.
"We will discuss it at the NSC meeting with the Health Ministry first," he responded in a brief text message, today.
Pasar malam traders in the city recently bemoaned the NSC's decision not to allow them to operate during the Movement Control Order (MCO).
Pertubuhan Pengurusan Pasar Malam Kuala Lumpur secretary Roy James Charles accused the authorities of practicing "double standards" as restaurants, food stalls and food delivery services in MCO-enforced states are allowed to operate until 10pm.
The group proposed for pasar malam to be allowed to operate from 1pm to 7pm during MCO.
Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Mahadi Che Ngah said the decision from NSC would be made after taking into consideration the risks and health and safety issues involved for such a decision.
He acknowledged that traders would find it hard to earn a living during MCO period, but said the government was putting people's safety as priority to prevent new Covid-19 cases from escalating.
"I understand the problem they face. But as we know, the daily Covid-19 infection numbers are very high. This is the primary factor to consider before we can allow traders to resume businesses," he said.