Its deputy minister Rosol Wahid said the proposal would be forwarded to the national security council (MKN) for consideration, and that among the premises which should be allowed to remain open, subject to SOPs, were stores selling books and stationeries as well as printing shops.

“We have heard complaints from parents on the difficulty they faced in buying items for their children like stationeries and tools for class assignments or printing assignments given by teachers since PdPR resumed.

“Some do not have printers at home or run out of ink, thus making it difficult for their children to complete their assignments,” he told reporters after visiting the Felda Bukit Goh D’Mart store, here, today.

He was optimistic that the suggestion would be looked into as it was a necessity nowadays, besides taking into consideration the drop in Covid-19 cases recently.

Meanwhile, Rosol expects the issue of price hikes for the 3kg and 5kg bottled cooking oil to be settled soon based on discussions between the KPDNHEP, plantations industry and commodities ministry and finance ministry yesterday.

“The discussion was held in a harmonious environment and there are positive announcements that will be made soon either by the KPDNHEP minister or finance   minister,” he said.

Asked on the possibility of a price hike for vegetables following the enforcement of the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) in several areas in Cameron Highlands, Rosol said that should not happen as the government allowed the agricultural sector and its supply chain to continue operating.

The ministry, he said, would also discuss with the agriculture and food industries ministry to ensure vegetable supplies would not be affected due to the June 14-27 EMCO enforced in the 670ha of agricultural area in Cameron Highlands.

He hoped that consumers who faced a sudden surge in vegetable prices would lodge  complaints with the KPDNHEP for investigation and immediate action.