SOMETHING is better than nothing. These were the exact words uttered by several tourism players in Penang after the Federal Government had recently lifted the inter-district travel restrictions and switched states such as Penang, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Johor from movement control order (MCO) to conditional MCO.
The four will now join Kedah, Kelantan, Negri Sembilan, Sarawak and Perak which are also under the conditional MCO while Melaka, Pahang, Terengganu, Sabah, Putrajaya, Labuan and Perlis will be under the recovery MCO.
This will take effect for 14 days from March 5 to 18.
Buletin Mutiara interviewed a few tourism players on the island and mainland, and other key associations to understand the impact that their businesses are set to experience following the announcement by the Federal Government.
Sathivel Ayaro (49, kacang putih seller):
“It was definitely a piece of good news for traders like us because this is our rice bowl. Although interstate travel is still not allowed yet, inter-district will help us in some way.
“This is a family business that has been operating for many years now and due to the incredible support from my family and friends, it is still sustainable.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the state government for giving out aid and contributions in the form of cash to help us sustain our livelihoods during this difficult period.
Sathivel, a third-generation kacang putih seller, has been operating at Penang Hill for over three decades now. He has currently also set up a kacang putih stall at Armenian Street in George Town.
He sells several types of kacang putih, such as ‘bhel puri’, ‘pakora’, ‘murukku’ and many others.
Sim Kuang Ling (28, Fruitmade owner):
“This may not necessarily be the best news of the week, but certainly a breather for business operators like us who are directly involved in the tourism sector.
“Most of my customers who are from the mainland will surely be delighted over the news and I am certain they would be crossing the bridges after March 5 to have their favourite drinks and ice-creams at my stall.
Sim is the owner of Fruitmade that sells fruit juice, smoothie and ice-cream at Lebuh Cannon in George Town.
Syed Kamarulsufian Kadiron (47, activist):
“Our friends in the tourism sector have greatly suffered in the past year due to the pandemic. The authorities are trying their best to ensure the industry does not further collapse this time.
“Hence, the decision to allow inter-district travel for now is good and I hope they will soon consider lifting the interstate travel ban as well.
“Now that the vaccine has arrived, let us hope that the cases will decrease; but it is still very important that people take up the responsibility to continuously observe the strict health measures imposed by the authorities.
Ch’ng Huck Theng (Association of Tourist Attractions Penang (ATAP) chairman):
“On behalf of ATAP, I would like to thank and welcome the decision by the Federal Government to lift the inter-district travel ban from March 5.
“This move will surely give the public the opportunity to travel freely within their state and give the much-needed boost to the livelihoods of those involved in the tourism sector.
“It can also spur domestic tourism in Penang. Although it might not make a lot of difference since interstate travel is still banned, at least it can give some positive signs to the tourism activities in the state.
“At the same time, we hope that if there is an increase of Covid-19 cases, the Government should do a targeted movement control order (MCO) in that area only instead of shutting down the whole sectors and initiate the travel ban.
“If not, it will continue to give negative impacts to the tourism sector in each state that is already affected because of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Saibi Abdul Majid (Pulau Aman Village Community Management Council (MPKK) chairman):
“It was a piece of great news for all tourism operators in Pulau Aman, such as chalet and restaurant owners who have already raised concerns should the ban be prolonged.
“The government’s decision to allow inter-district travel is a wise move so that people from other districts in Penang can finally come over to Pulau Aman.
“The decision also has motivated us to never give up just yet in this battle.
“At the same time, I have advised tourism operators on the island to repay the government’s decision to allow inter-district travel by complying with the existing standard operating procedures (SOPs).
“I also would like to remind the visitors to practise responsible tourism such as by practising physical distancing, wearing the face mask, having their body temperature checked and scanning the QR code by using MySejahtera app before entering the premises.
“If we all play our part by adhering to the strict SOPs to curb the spread of Covid-19 pandemic, then I am sure the Government will lift the interstate travel ban soon.”
Chin Poh Chin (Penang Tourist Guides Association (PTGA) chairman):
“I believe the decision is timely to prevent tourism sectors from further collapse.
“However, it is not enough as long as interstate travel restrictions are still in place.
“While we do support all measures taken by the Government to stop the Covid-19 infection in the country, we cannot under-emphasise the economic impact of prolonged bans which will be devastating to many livelihoods especially to the tourism operators.
“Thus, we hope the Government will consider lifting the interstate travel ban as soon as possible so that we can fully utilise and focus on domestic tourism while waiting for the international borders to reopen.
“At the same time, we also hope for all tourism operators to be prioritised to get the vaccine as soon as possible because we are also considered as frontliners too.
“This is important to instil confidence among tourists.”
Story by Kevin Vimal and Riadz Akmal
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud and Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis