MITI’s comprehensive SOPs during MCO 2.0

Minister says the SOPs will enable the smooth flow of operations and ensure effective implementation of BCP during the MCO

by LYDIA NATHAN / pic by MUHD AMIN NAHARUL

THE Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) has formulated a set of comprehensive, relevant and practical standard operating procedures (SOPs) for essential services that will be allowed to operate throughout the Movement Control Order (MCO) 2.0 which is imposed in five most affected states and the Federal Territories.

MITI Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (picture; above) said the SOPs will enable the smooth flow of operations and ensure effective implementation of Business Continuity Plan (BCP) during the MCO that begins today until Jan 26, 2021.

“The government’s decision to allow five essential economic sectors — including manufacturing to operate — is to ensure the country’s economic recovery process, business sustainability, avoid high unemployment rates among Malaysians, and to ensure that people continue to gain access to basic and critical necessities, throughout the MCO period,” he said. The SOPs under the manufacturing sector under the purview of MITI can be downloaded from the MITI website at www.miti.gov.my.

Azmin said companies that have registered with the Covid-19 Intelligent Management System (CIMS) through the link https://notification.miti.gov.my will not need to reregister, but will be required to download the registration confirmation.

“Employees of the company who are allowed to be at work according to the specified times are required to bring along a copy of the notification provided by the employer, together with the employee pass.

“This is to facilitate the movement of commercial vehicles, as well as the movement of workers between residence and workplace. MITI has informed the Royal Malaysia Police regarding this matter to facilitate movement during roadblock operations,” he said.

The five sectors that are allowed to continue operation during the MCO in the five states — Penang, Selangor, Melaka, Johor, Sabah and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan — include manufacturing, construction, services, trade and distribution, as well as plantations and commodities.

Azmin said the sectors and the states are the main drivers of the country and major contributors to the country’s GDP, totalling 66.3%.

The state of Selangor’s contribution to GDP is at 24.2%, Federal Territories 16.9%, Johor 9.4%, Penang 6.7%, Sabah 6%, and Melaka is 3.1%.

“This proactive action by the government will have a positive impact on the country’s economic growth, local and foreign investment flows as well as the sustainability of small and medium enterprises,” Azmin said in a statement released yesterday. He also said only 30% of employees of company management will be allowed to be in the office, while the number of support staff employees involved in production lines will be determined by employers.

“For work that does not require physical attendance, the work from home (WFH) directive will apply. The government calls on the industry and the private sector to enhance the implementation of WFH as a new norm, in line with the advances of the latest technologies and online applications,” Azmin added.


Read our earlier report

Companies under CIMS don’t need to register again: Azmin