“Take My Shop. I Can’t Afford To Pay,” Says Kelantan Kedai Runcit Owner Hit With RM50,000 Compound

By Karissa Lund  •  28 Apr 2021 in News

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A Kelantan man, Mansah Marjuri offered to give up his store after he was slapped with an RM50,000 fine for operating beyond hours under the movement control order (MCO), according to Malaysiakini.

The 47-year-old, who is already struggling to make ends meet with his car repossessed and the risk of losing his home due to unpaid loans, said he can’t afford to pay the fine. He added that he also has to care for three young children who are still in school.

Mansah offered to give up his shop which went by the name of ‘Kedai Runcit Zaki Jaya’ which is located along Jalan Cempaka in Kota Bahru.

“Take my shop. I can’t afford to pay RM50,000. I also have seven months of unpaid house loan amounting to RM650 a month and my car has been repossessed by the bank,” he said.

Recounting the incident, Mansah said four police officers came to his shop at 11.30pm on Sunday and immediately slapped him with a fine of RM50,000.

“My shop was already closed. I have CCTV evidence. Only the lights are on because I have a relative over to help clean up. The main gate had been shut. I was shocked when four police officers came and immediately issued me an RM50,000 fine and left without using their discretion,” he said.

Mansah said he was lost on what to do and plans to appeal at the district health department later today.

“I will go to the district department to make an appeal today. I hope someone can help me in this matter as I really don’t know what to do,” he said.

ICYMI, a burger seller and a rojak seller in Kelantan have also come forward to say that they were slapped with the same hefty fine for operating beyond 10pm. The rojak seller claimed to have closed shop and was only cooking up some snacks for their children.

Meanwhile, the burger seller said he was no longer serving customers at the time and was only finishing up orders to be delivered to a factory.

Kelantan police chief Shafien Mamat said the police are reviewing the RM50,000 fines issued against the small businesses and will be contacting them soon.

The government had said those fined could appeal to their local district health office for a reduction. However, some of the small business owners have expressed that they could not afford to pay even if they were to receive a substantial discount.