KUCHING: The country has little or no choice but to allow certain businesses to reopen in order to avoid economic collapse.
This fact was stressed when the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) announced on May 9 that it would allow the reopening of various economic sectors in Sarawak on May 12.
“It is also to stop further dents on the country’s as well as Sarawak’s reserves as financial aids had been given to people and businesses to mitigate the adverse effects of the pandemic,” said a business owner.
For Desmond Liew — owner of a studio café — the re-opening of business is a very much welcomed.
“Bear in mind, despite suspending their businesses, companies still have to pay their staff and rentals. Their reserves are bound to be depleted, so to restart our economy, businesses need to reopen,” he told New Sarawak Tribune, yesterday.
Liew pointed out that his food business, just like others, had been badly impacted as his shop relied heavily on social events and dine-ins.
“With social distancing, diners won’t come. So, I have to rely on selling takeaways and deliveries. I can’t cater to large social events like office parties or annual dinners,” he said.
Liew also predicted that economic recovery would be very slow, at least from half a year to one year after reopening.
“Business owners will have to re-evaluate their operations. Going digital, for example, is one way to cope with declining dine-ins.
“Malaysia’s overall economy will recover, but it will take at least two years due to the uncertain times,” he said.
For a cleaning service owner, Leandro McRae, it is not only a good idea to reopen the economy — it is crucial.
“Some businesses need to restart operations as soon as possible or they will suffer more losses which could cause them to shut down,” he said.
On whether or not he was optimistic that the economy would recover well, he said he was.
“It’s just that by hook or by crook, everyone must survive. They know that reopening businesses is the key to economic recovery.”
