KUCHING, Aug 6: The furniture industry has suffered a loss of RM1.6 billion due to Movement Control Order (MCO) 3.0 enforced on June 1 as the sector was not allowed to operate.
Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi however recognised that the furniture industry sector is one of the major contributors to the country’s domestic economy with a sales value of around RM9.6 billion in 2019
“KPDNHEP (Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs) is very concerned and takes note of the issues that have been raised by the furniture industry sector.
“We will refine each proposal submitted before being brought to a meeting with the National Security Council (NSC) and the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH),” he said in a statement today.
This came after an engagement session with the furniture industry sector represented by the Malaysian Furniture Council (MFC), Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Furniture Association (KSFA), Johor Bahru Furniture Association (JBFA) and Pahang Furniture Manufacturers and Traders Association (5P) and major furniture companies nationwide yesterday (Aug 5).
The engagement session was also attended by Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Dato Sri Dr Wee Jeck Seng.
The engagement session was aimed at obtaining the latest feedback from the furniture industry sector on the current position and situation, especially the furniture supply and retail sub-sector.
Through the engagement, Nanta pointed out that his Ministry has received feedback and suggestions related to the improvement of standard operating procedures (SOP), employee vaccination rates and the re-opening of the furniture industry sector under the National Recovery Plan Phase (PPN).
He also emphasised the importance for all furniture industry players to be prepared in advance before the full reopening of economic activities by ensuring that all workers have been vaccinated and all SOP are complied with.
KPDNHEP also urged all employees in this sector to register and get vaccinated as soon as possible through the Retail Industry Vaccination Programme (RiVac) which is being implemented by the Ministry.— DayakDaily
