MUKAH: Durian sellers here have been exempted from closing their businesses by 2pm daily since the authorities enforced the order effective Jan 16, in line with the conditional movement control order (CMCO) imposed following a surge in Covid-19 cases in the state.
Traders who were ordered to close their businesses by 2pm (from 7am) are those who are operating at the wet and dry markets, pasar tamu (jungle produce market) and those in the vicinity of those three premises, including cobblers at the five-foot pedestrian walk.
Following the exemption, durian fruits sellers, who are conducting their businesses at one of the public car parks in the old town, are permitted to trade until nightfall.
However, the exemption somehow caused dissatisfaction among traders at the three premises (wet and dry markets, and pasar tamu).
A trader, who preferred anonymity, said the order should include all traders so that it would be seen as fair.
“If we are ordered to close by 2pm, but durian sellers are exempted and allowed to trade until night time, it could be seen as double standard,” he told New Sarawak Tribune today (Jan 19).
Meanwhile, Kapitan Kang Boon Eong, 54, claimed that durian sellers were exempted because their products are seasonal.
“I hope there would not be any trader misusing the permit,” he said after spotting a stall not selling durian but other fruits.
