Ameer Ali Mydin, the managing director of the Mydin chain of hypermarkets said retailers cannot comprehend the latest ruling.

“Is the government implying that retailers in shopping centres are not capable of complying with the strict SOP (standard operating procedure) and hence, apparel, handbags and shoe shops cannot open.

“But pasar malam traders can reopen instead. Are they better at complying with the SOP?”, he asked.

He called for the government to be more sensible when deciding on which businesses are allowed to operate during the MCO.

He was referring to the announcement by senior minister for security Ismail Sabri Yaakob today that night markets, barber shops, hair salons and car wash centres will be allowed to open for business from tomorrow.

Ameer pointed out that the retail industry employs some 400,000 people and the multiplier effect on the economy is massive.

He said the retail industry also had “mouths to feed and bankers to appease”.

“So please make decisions that make sense to us laymen in the business sector.”