Penang FMM: Factories operating during MCO must get ministry approval

GEORGE TOWN: The few factories that were operating on the first day of the movement control order (MCO) period could be factories producing essential products such as processed food and medical supply items, says Datuk Dr Ooi Eng Hock.

The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) Penang branch chairman said factories are not allowed to open unless they produce essential products and get consent from the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti).

"I am not sure how many, but those factories that are allowed to operate must be ones that produce essential products," he said when contacted Wednesday (March 18).

Ooi said applicants can check which category their factories fall under and are encouraged to reach out to the ministry and its agencies through the Miti & Agencies Hotline Facebook page, via WhatsApp at [phone] or email [e-mail].

Meanwhile state Domestic and International Trade, Consumer Affairs and Entrepreneur Development Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain said factory owner who want to run their plants during the MCO must get approval from Miti.

He said the state was still waiting for instructions from the Federal Government on the operation of factories during the MCO period.

"We believe that these factories can run as usual but with certain conditions after they get approval from the relevant authorities," he said.

On Monday (March 16), Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin declared that the entire country would be subject to a movement control order starting from March 18 to 31 to deal with the rise in Covid-19 cases.