EUROCHAM MALAYSIA URGES BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO AVOID LOCKDOWN BY DOING ITS PART

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 24  -- Eurocham Malaysia said it was imperative for the business community to take seriously, the numerous media reports of clusters on COVID-19 infections associated with various factories, construction sites and other places of work. 

“More importantly, do their their part, by investing in resources assist in implementing strict SOPs to avoid another full MCO, said its chairman Oliver Roche.

Eurocham Malaysia which has been tasked as the main contact point for the EU-Malaysia business community, has been working very closely with the government especially the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) from the early stages of the pandemic (2020), to date.

In a note to media today, referencing a communique that had been circulating, the organisation said it was a confidential internal circular sent to all its members, to relay the essence of its recent informal discussion with MITI and the commendable efforts of the Malaysian government in tackling the spread of COVID-19.

“The essence of the informal discussion with MITI was aimed to raise awareness about how the business community can play a role in flattening the COVID-19 curve and the economic repercussions that could follow if we do not play an active role while expecting the government to exhaust its efforts independently.

“In this context, the demanding situation of worker accommodations has been raised many times and was mentioned in our internal circular as crucial contribution in the effort of breaking the chain,” it said.

Eurocham Malaysia said it further wished to clarify that while MITI underscored the heightened sense of urgency that currently prevails, given the rising number of cases, there was no mention of an immediate lockdown after Feb 4, 2021.

“Therefore, we seek for people to remain focused on the bigger picture, in doing their part to ensure that another lockdown is avoided instead.

“In this trying time, we appreciate the strong working relationship with the Malaysian government, in particular MITI, and in our earnest opinion, they have been doing a commendable job in managing the pandemic since 2020,” Roche said.

Eurocham chief executive officer Sven Schneider had previously disclosed that if COVID-19 cases continued to increase, Putrajaya could be expected to declare a complete economic shutdown after Feb 4.

-- BERNAMA