KUCHING: It is a huge relief for food truck operators to be allowed to operate during the coming recovery movement control order (RMCO) period.

Sarawak Bumiputera Food Truck Association (SBFA) chairman Mahathir Ibrahim said the food trucks were among the businesses badly affected by the movement control order (MCO) since March 18.

They lost their revenue, but still needed to pay expenses such as vehicle loan instalments and salaries.

“We will check with the state government and local authorities first on whether the relaxation announced by the federal authorities applies to Sarawak as well,” he told New Sarawak Tribune on Sunday.

He was commenting on the federal government’s decision to allow food truck businesses to operate under the RMCO while complying with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) from June 10 till Aug 31.

Mahathir said the association would wait for an announcement by the state government first before all food trucks in their respective areas could operate.

“Before this, we received an SOP from Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) but for other areas, we have yet to receive any permission to operate,” he said.

In the meantime, he hoped that the reopening of more businesses coupled with government assistance would help traders do well and contribute towards the overall economic recovery.