Kuala Lumpur, May 24, 2021 – The industry is appreciative of the Government for allowing
economic sectors to continue to operate during the MCO 3.0 period. At the same time, the industry
is equally concerned with the recent spike in Covid-19 cases and fully supports the imposition of
stricter SOPs to prevent the situation from escalating into a national crisis, including allowing only
60% of the private sector workforce to be present physically at work while the remaining 40% are to
work from home.
The Government's decision to maintain the opening of economic sectors is critical because the
industry will not be able to take another round of total lockdown as experienced during the MCO 1.0
where only essential sectors were allowed to operate. MCO 1.0 had not only severely impacted
business sustainability but also caused massive loss of employment. Thus, a total lockdown now
would cost irreparable damage to the economy and livelihood.
The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) thanks the Government for the earnest
consultation and engagement held with the industry including a recent session with YAB Prime
Minister and YB Senior Minister of MITI where the industry shared the current development and
reasons why a total lockdown would not be good for the nation as it would jeopardise economic
recovery and the government’s projection of achieving 6.0-7.5% growth for 2021. In addition, all the
efforts undertaken by the Government through the initiatives by the National Employment Council to
increase job creations and accelerate economic recovery and the various PENJANA training and
reskilling/upskilling efforts to get the unemployed back into the job market would be derailed.
Through our Advisories and emails including President’s personal letters, FMM will continue to
update and remind members and the industry to vigilantly adhere to the SOPs and do our part to
flatten the wave of infection. As this is a very serious matter that concerns individual lives and
business survival, manufacturers must take immediate steps to ensure compliance or be prepared
to accept the consequences of having their operations stopped with all the subsequential actions
that would be taken on them including fines and penalties.
In addition, FMM calls on the Government to accelerate the mass immunisation programme through
a parallel vaccination implementation by private hospitals and clinics. FMM also hopes that the
vaccination for the economic sectors will be expedited to achieve faster herd immunity.
FMM reiterates our appreciation to the Government especially MITI for always engaging and
facilitating on the challenges faced by the industry. As we weave through this unprecedented
pandemic together, it is without a doubt that we are all front liners in this fight against Covid-19.
Each and every one of us must take collective responsibility to support the Government’s continued
efforts fighting the Covid-19 pandemic towards ensuring the wellbeing of the rakyat and revitalising
the nation’s economy.
DOWNLOAD PRESS STATEMENT
Tan Sri Dato’ Soh Thian Lai
President, Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers
FMM Advocates Transparency, Integrity and No Corruption
About FMM
The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) has been the voice of the Malaysian manufacturing sector since 1968. Representing over 10,000 member companies (3,000 direct and 7,000 indirect) from the manufacturing supply chain, FMM is actively engaged with government and its key agencies at Federal, State and local levels. FMM is also well-linked with international organisations, Malaysian businesses and civil society. Apart from benefitting from FMM’s advocacy, FMM members enjoy value-add services, including training, business networking and trade opportunities as well as regular information updates.
Media Enquiries
Han Mong Ying, Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs Tel: 03-6286 7200 Email: webmaster@fmm.org.my