Chow Kit wet market almost deserted

The first day of the Movement Control Order saw the majority of this capital city’s dwellers abiding by the government's directive.

A quick check by Astro AWANI at the Chow Kit market here on Wednesday morning found it quiet and not as busy as usual.

According to a chicken trader at the market, Fadil Isnin, 45, the situation was the worst he had experienced in the last 20 years.

"We always sell 300 to 400 kilogram of chicken a day, but today we sell less than 50 kilograms. Most restaurant owners have cancelled their orders except only two or three who still buy from us.

"If one restaurant normally buys 20 chickens, now it is only limited to about five," he said.

The same experience was shared by vegetable seller, Taufik Hidayah, 19, who complied with the government's directives despite the less than favourable impact on his business.

"This is what our business is like, there have been smaller number of people from morning until now. Since many people have gone panic buying for the past two days, we have to continue to open our business even if there are lesser customers," he said.

The survey also found that only a few customers were wearing masks when going about their shopping at the market.

Several Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) enforcement officers were also spotted monitoring the market to ensure that there were no unrelated activities in relation to the essential sectors that have been announced.