Border reopening to inject life into empty Central Market, say operators

KUALA LUMPUR - In downtown Central Market here, it's been quiet for the past two years.

Before the pandemic, it was one of the busiest tourists spot with tourists bargaining to buy souveniers and crafts.

But since yesterday there is a spark of joy within tour operators and businessmen after Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the reopening of borders on April 1.

Shopowner at Central Market here, Siti Saleha, 60, said 90 percent of her visitors were foreign tourists.

"This is a tourists area, and we have been dying without them. However, it is necessary to ensure standard operating procedures (SOPs) at the national border are strictly regulated to avoid surge in Covid-19 variants," said Saleha.

Saiful Bharain, 50, saw his business profits dropping by 80 percent since the country's borders closed in 2020 following the pandemic.

"I am unable to sell my souvenir items," he said.

Clothing dealer, Azli Rasidi, 42, said the border closure disrupted his life. He has been in this business for 30 years and says Central Market without tourists the place looks like a ghost town. "There is hope now," he said, smiling as he adds looks for space to add in more products in his selling spot.

Meanwhile, Dexy Licudine, 34, said the decision to open country's border would certainly boost the tourism sector.

Shop owner, Fahrun Jamaludin, 42 was unable to contain his excitement. "I can't wait to see foreign tourists back into this area. It will boost our businesses again."

However, he hopes Putrajaya imposes a strict SOP as a spike in tourists may also cause a spike in Covid-19 cases.