KUALA LUMPUR, 13 JULY: The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) is pleading with the government to allow the automotive industry to resume operations in states that have been placed under the Covid-19-driven Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO), as well as those under phases one and two of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), because the automotive supply chain has been severely impacted by such policies aimed at containing the pandemic’s spread. The whole supply chain in the automotive sector has been severely impacted, according to MAA president Datuk Aishah Ahmad, particularly by the complete halt of operations in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur enclaves that have been placed under the EMCO.
“Feedback from several of our members suggested that supply chain interruptions are hindering business operations even in non-EMCO states,” Aishah said.
According to the MAA, the effects of operational halts in automobile manufacturers, workshops, and distribution centers within the EMCO enclaves of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur are “very catastrophic.”
The longer these automotive factories, workshops, and distribution centers, which serve as car and automotive spare parts distribution hubs, are closed, the more damage is done to the industry and the country.
As a result, MAA is urging the government to allow automotive sector activities (workshops and distribution centers for passenger and commercial vehicles and spare parts) to resume operations immediately, albeit at a reduced capacity and with strict SOPs (standard operating procedures) in place in states covered by EMCO, Phase 1 of NRP, and Phase 2 of NRP. Many of the major automotive companies, both for vehicle and component production, are based in these two states. Furthermore, some MAA members have sole and/or central distribution centers (for vehicles and spare parts) in Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.
“The MAA also hopes that under Phases 1 and 2 of the NRP, the government will allow manufacturing and distribution centers for automobiles and spare parts, as well as new vehicle dealerships, to function.” In addition, MAA is proposing to allow a two- to three-day window per week for accepting and storing cargoes for the automotive sector, similar to what was done during MCO (Movement Control Order) 1.0 last year, to relieve port congestion,” MAA added.
On July 1, 2021, it was announced that from July 3 until this Friday, the EMCO would be imposed on 34 mukims or enclaves in Selangor, as well as 14 areas in Kuala Lumpur (July 16).
The EMCO was reportedly enforced in Selangor’s Petaling, Damansara, Sungai Buloh, and Bukit Raja district enclaves, Hulu Langat district enclaves of Hulu Langat, Ampang, Cheras, Kajang, Semenyih, and Beranang, Sepang district enclaves of Dengkil, Labu, and Sepang, and Gombak district en
“The districts of Kuala Langat (Mukim Tanjung 12 [1], Tanjung 12 [2], Teluk Panglima Garang, Morib, Bandar, Jugra, and Batu), Klang (Mukim Kapar and Klang), Kuala Selangor (Mukim Ijok, Bestari Jaya, and Jeram), and Hulu Selangor (Mukim Serendah, Rasa, Ulu Yam, and Batang Kali) are
“In Kuala Lumpur, the Sri Semarak People’s Housing Project (PPR), Batu Muda PPR, Wangsa Maju Section 1 and Section 2 flats, Kampung Padang Balang, Taman Koperasi Polis (Phases 1 and 2), Sri Sabah flats, Kampung Puah, and Kampung Baru Air Panas PPR are all involved. “Desa Pandan flats (including Baiduri and Delima
Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz was quoted in news outlets on Saturday (July 10) as saying that the NRP was an adaptive plan that will be enhanced according to the current scenario and needs.
Tengku Zafrul was quoted as saying that the NRP was a comprehensive package that included six main concepts for driving the country’s economic revival.
According to Bernama, “they include balancing life and livelihood, providing clarity, repairing trust, and providing a standard for performance monitoring.”/n
