WHILE customers are spending less during this period of movement control order, tenants operating at shopping malls are further feeling the pinch as they have to settle their monthly rental.
Many no doubt are worried whether they can sustain their businesses if the MCO 3.0 is prolonged.
Already their businesses have taken a toll after several restrictions had been implemented ever since last year.
Rumours of a ‘total lockdown’ are flying following the rise of Covid-19 cases whereby the current measures taken are seen as inadequate to stem the spread of Covid-19.
A check by Buletin Mutiara at a shopping mall in town found several tenants on tenterhooks.
Selling ‘nasi lemak’ and ‘nasi padang’ at the mall’s food court for nearly four years, its owner, who is only wished to be known as Tan, said he would move his business elsewhere if such bleak situation continues.
“I couldn’t cope with the RM4,000 monthly rent. It’s really ‘killing’. You can see for yourself that not many people order takeaway from here.
“Yes, people can opt for takeaway but who wants to park their vehicles and come up to the mall all the way just to buy food.
“You can forget about new patrons. You are lucky if you have regular customers. The other businesses are also struggling to survive as well.
“This is the reality that we are facing nowadays,” he said.
Echoing what he said was a helper for a Thai food operator.
Known as Tena, 41, she said she was sad to see her employer suffering financial losses.
“Not many customers are coming to the food court. I am worried whether my employer can continue with his business. I am just keeping my fingers crossed,” she said.
Hair saloon owner, Tan Kah Yin, 30, shared her concern as the Covid-19 cases keep soaring.
“I am extremely exhausted physically and mentally. There is no way out unless the vaccination effort is expedited,” she added.
Owner of handmade craft items, Zax Lee, 31, said his business was the worst hit during this time as only a handful of people would drop by his store.
“Even during the normal days, not many people are interested in art items. That’s why, I am just surviving at the moment,” Lee said.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan