Tighter security for Selayang markets

PETALING JAYA: Police and soldiers will be deployed to the Selayang wholesale and wet markets to enforce social distancing as the situation concerning crowding in the two markets has not changed, says Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

This move was needed following the failure of traders and consumers at the market to follow social distancing rules during the enhanced movement control order (MCO) period, he added.

“(Traders and buyers at the) Selayang wholesale and wet markets are still crowding together without following the standard operating procedure (SOP), such as having a physical distance of one metre between each other.

“So, now we have decided to deploy police and army personnel to the markets to ensure that everyone adheres to the SOP placed by the Health Ministry and the police, ” he added.

He said that the presence of police and army personnel at the markets will help to improve the situation, as what has been seen at the Air Itam market in Penang.

Eight individuals from the market have been found to be positive with Covid-19.

Ismail Sabri also clarified that all agricultural activities in the country are allowed during the enhanced MCO period.

“Every activity and operation related to the agricultural industry is allowed. This also includes transporting agricultural products, ” he said.

The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry was also monitoring prices to ensure that traders did not raise prices of goods indiscriminately, he said.

“There are some who reported that food is running out. I want to give my guarantee that based on reports by the Agriculture and Food Industries Minister (Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee), there is enough food supply, ” said Ismail Sabri.

“So there is no need to worry whether there will be enough food for them (Malaysians), as there is enough food supply to sustain (us).”