ABSTRACT
The implementation of a movement control order (MCO) in Malaysia due to the COVID-19 pandemic has widely affected the majority of small-scale economic activities, including the food and beverage (F&B) sector. This paper aims to analyse the impact of MCO implementation on small-scale F&B activities in Majlis Bandaraya Iskandar Puteri (MBIP), Johor, Malaysia. Descriptive and inferential analyses were employed to analyse the impact of MCO implementation via a questionnaire sampling of 60 small-scale F&B operators across the case study. The research found that the movement restrictions had a massive influence on the economy of most of the businesses, particularly on their income generations. The MCO also obstructed a smooth economic recovery of any business, including the small-scale F&B activities, despite the various initiatives being addressed to minimise the economic impact of pandemic and sustain the business activities and income generations. Hence, a planning approach should be taken to manage the chain impact of a health crisis, such as movement restrictions, in reducing the economic impacts of small-scale F&B activities. © 2022 by MIP.
ABSTRACT
The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the entire world dramatically. The unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic has widely impacted on Malaysia’s economy, especially towards the small-scale economic activities related to the small medium enterprises (SMEs). Therefore, this paper aims to determine the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic towards the resilience of SMEs in Johor, Malaysia. The research methodology employed a quantitative method through a survey method via questionnaire sampling of 60 owners involved in SMEs operators across the case study. The research finding indicated that the Covid-19 pandemic had a massive influence on the economy of the majority of SMEs operators, especially on their income generations which average losses in revenue of more than 50 percent during the Covid-19 pandemic compared to 2019. This resulted from the shutdown of their business activities to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Other findings highlighted that the government’s initiatives to address the economic impact of SMEs yet insufficient to sustain business activities and income generations for instance access to financing facilities, product marketing opportunities and others. Therefore, required immediate initiatives should be made by all the stakeholders to reduce the economic impacts among the SMEs.
ABSTRACT
The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the socio-economic well-being of people either in urban or rural areas. The Covid-19 cases and fatalities that concentrated in major urban areas in Malaysia. However, as the pandemic progressed, the rural community faced health vulnerability due to the Covid-19 pandemic threat. Among the significant impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic are income generation, economic activity work, and health vulnerability, especially the rural community involved in rural economic activities such as agriculture and fishery. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the socio-economic well-being of rural communities in Malaysia. The case study selection is in Mersing, Pontian and Batu Pahat involving three villages using GIS mapping. The methodology used is quantitative research through a household survey conducted using 182 heads of households based on the economic and social dimensions. The finding reveals that most of the target group experienced a decline in income generation, economic activity restriction, and education issues. Furthermore, there are also decreasing in the economically active population (age 15-60) in the village. As a result, this study is essential in formulating a post-Covid-19 recovery plan regarding socio-economic well-being impacts and the revival of rural community well-being in Malaysia through Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping.