By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Apr 10: Automotive, machinery and equipment, construction projects, legal firms, hair salons, full laundry service as well as hardware, electronic and electrical, and optical wholesale and retail shops were among the selected additional sectors allowed to start operating in phases during the Movement Control Order (MCO) which has been extended until April 28.
Senior Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali informed that companies in these selected sectors can start submitting their applications to resume operation to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) starting Monday (April 13) from 9 am.
All applications must be made online through MITI’s website, www.miti.gov.my and only completed applications that have met the criteria and requirements will be processed.
“Following discussions with industries associations, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as well as relevant ministries and agencies including Ministry of Health and National Security Council (NSC), the Cabinet has decided to allow a number of additional economic sectors to operate in phases according to the strict health and movement control order guideline,” he said in an official statement today.
Among the considerations which the government have taken into account in determining the additional economic sectors allowed to resume operations, he explained, include its importance in the global value chain (GVC) and country’s export to ensure the stability of export activities.
“Secondly, sectors which have high value-added multiplier; third is the impact on the sustainability of SMEs especially manufacturing and services; and fourth the manpower or labour force involved,” he added.
Azmin, however, reminded that companies in these sectors must comply with the terms and conditions issued in the standard operating procedure (SOP).
“Besides compliance with the strict guidelines, operations are also subjected to compliance with the requirements issued by the Ministry of Health and guidelines by other relevant enforcement agencies from time to time.
“Failure to do so may result in the revocation of the rights of operation instantly and face with any legal actions under the current Act,” he said.
Azmin added that these measures were taken to ensure the sustainability of the nation’s economy, prevent job loss as well as to ensure people can continue to have access to basic needs and critical products throughout the MCO period.
The list of sectors allowed to resume operation is as below:
1. Automotive industry (limited to export of fully installed units or CBU, equipment and components, and after-sales services such as maintenance).
2. Machinery and equipment industry
3.Aerospace industry
4.Construction projects and construction related services
i. Projects where G1-G2 Contractor as main contractor
ii. Projects which have been verified to have achieved 90 per cent and above in physical development
iii. Tunnel works
iv. Maintenance works
v. Slope works
vi. Emergency works subjected to contract agreement
vii. Maintenance, cleaning and drying of stagnant water, spraying insecticides at construction sites to prevent the breeding of aedes mosquitoes and other pests
viii. Other works not completed which could cause danger
ix. Building projects with 70 IBS score and above
x. Construction projects with accommodation facilities/amenities for workers such as staff quarter centres or worker camps
xi. Professional services involved in the construction industry including architect, city planning engineer, land surveyor, material surveyor, project manager, facility manager and others related.
5. Science, professional and technical services including research and development (R&D) – (limited to legal firms; oil and gas services; R&D activities related to Covid-19; lab test for sectors allowed to operate only)
6. Social health services including registered traditional medicine (limited to registered Traditional and Complementary Medicine or TCM practitioners)
7. Services offering hardware, electrical and electronic and optical in wholesale and retail
8. Hair salon service (haircut only)
9.Laundry service (full service and not self-service laundry)—DayakDaily
