Sabah MCA urges state govt to consider allowing shops selling Buddhist, Taoist prayer items to open during MCO

Chew showing some of the items used in prayers for the Buddhist and Taoist communities.

KOTA KINABALU: The state government and local authorities in Sabah are urged to consider the Buddhist and Taoist communities’ appeal to open up shops selling prayer items such as joss sticks during the movement control order (MCO) period.

Sabah MCA central committee member Datuk Chew Kok Woh said these items are considered essentials for these communities.

“Please consider allowing these shops to operate at least two or three times a week, now that we are more than 40 days into the MCO, ” he said Monday (April 27).

He said this was even more needed with Wesak Day approaching.

Chew, who is also Batu Sapi MCA chairman, explained that items such as joss sticks are used daily by these communities for their prayers.

He said many of them in Sandakan said they had run out of stock and are concerned as they also use them to pray to their ancestors.