FMM In The News: THE EDGE MARKETS, KUALA LUMPUR, Monday, January 11, 2021 - The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) has expressed its relief that the government is not going to enforce a full lockdown under the movement control order (MCO) it ordered to be reinstated on five states and three federal territories today, as five essential economic sectors will be allowed to operate.

"It is indeed a relief to the industry as a full lockdown for these six states, which are the hub and heart of the country’s economic activities, would be detrimental to the business sector, economy and livelihood of the rakyat," its president Tan Sri Datuk Soh Thian Lai said in a statement this evening.

It also commended the government for taking heed of the industry's call by allowing these five economic sectors to continue to operate, albeit under strict conditions and adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin today announced that the MCO will be reinstated in Penang, Selangor, Malacca, Johore, Sabah, as well as the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan, from starting Jan 13 till Jan 25.

Notwithstanding the MCO, five essential economic sectors are allowed to operate, namely manufacturing, construction, services, trade and distributions, and plantations and commodities.

"We look forward to the expeditious release of the details to allow enough time for the industry to plan and adjust to the required conditions. It is most important that the process and procedure to operate are seamless and clear for fast implementation," Soh added.

Soh said that the federation will issue an advisory to its members upon the announcement by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) on the finer details of the operations allowed during the MCO period.

"In the meantime, FMM would also like to remind the industry to continue to strictly observe the Covid-19 precautionary measures and be diligent and be vigilant in adhering to the SOPs, as breaking this chain of infections is a concerted effort of everyone," he said.