RM50,000 compound?  Current times are unusually tough: Halt placing too much pressure on the rakyat

MCA would like to express our sadness and displeasure over the issuance of an RM50,000 compound against petty traders, including 42-year-old Mohd Azizi Mohd Nor and his wife, Nik Norwati Nik Loh, 38 who sell colek, a type of rojak, in Kampung Chekok Tengah, Kota Bharu. The couple’s alleged offence? Operating beyond hours.

Citing online news reports, Mohd Azizi maintains that he had already closed up at 10pm, and part of the lights at his stall was already turned off. Only the kitchen (lights) were still on as he and his wife were cleaning up, and that took quite a long time. Discretion is needed in this context instead of pressuring them when people are undergoing hard times.

It cannot be denied that the authorities must be firm in enforcing the law, particularly to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, considering that society is suffering given the hardships in daily life presently, MCA believes that discretion is the best measure for the greater good of all.

It is true that an appeal maybe lodged on the compound. However, this adds pressure and inconveniences unto the affected persons who have to travel to the district health office to appeal. Closer to ground, the rakyat should be assisted and their matters simplified, rather than complicated.

Even more heartbreaking: The petty trader is also a father to five (5) school-going children and helps to raise 3 nephews and nieces, and it is already difficult to earn even RM100 per night. Do the authorities realise and comprehend the plight of petty traders like Mohd Azizi Mohd Nor?

MCA is consistent in our support of the government’s efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the welfare and interests of the rakyat are MCA’s key priority. What happened to Mohd Azizi Mohd Nor should never had transpired, nor recur in the future. This in turn can prevent the Government from being labeled as tyrannical and acting without discretion nor empathy.

Facebook video link: https://www.facebook.com/MCAHQ/videos/293906838860729/

Mike Chong Yew Chuan
MCA Spokesperson

-MCA Online-