KUALA LUMPUR: While most industry-related associations welcome the four-week extension of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), a few groups are worried that things will get worse for some sectors.
They hoped the government would allocate more aid to sectors that have been badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Malaysian Employers Federation executive director Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan said the CMCO extension enabled the private sector to better plan its business.
However, he urged the government to come up with a clearer directive on which sectors were allowed to operate during the CMCO.
Due to vague, unclear and often conflicting nature of the policy, especially on requirements to undergo Covid-19 screenings at Social Security Organisation (Socso) panel doctors, many smaller employers were unsure whether they were allowed to resume operations or not.
"Initially, these smaller employers opted to wait until May 12 to decide.
"But even with the latest announcement, these companies are still not clear as to whether they are allowed to resume their businesses.
"The government should come up with a simple and clear statement on this."
He said the tight regulations to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri was vital to halt the infection spread.
The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) said the CMCO extension struck a right balance between prioritising public health and ensuring business activities resumed.
FMM president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai said all parties should work hand-in-hand to flatten the Covid-19 curve while supporting the people's economic wellbeing.
"The operations of sectors and businesses under the CMCO will continue to be governed by standard operating procedures and Covid-19 precautionary measures.
"The business community must continue to ensure strict adherence to these requirements."
Soh urged manufacturers to implement business continuity plans by exploring and expanding flexible work arrangements, maintaining social distancing and other policies that allowed staff to work remotely and safely.
To reduce the risk of Covid-19 infections, he urged employers to get their staff screened for the virus, particularly foreign workers.
"As Covid-19 is a significant health risk of public concern, the government should bear the cost of screening. It must also ensure there are sufficient rapid test kits made available for all approved clinics to carry out the screening.
"The number of laboratories and hospitals recognised by the Health Ministry needs to be expanded and included in Socso's Prihatin Screening Programme to allow more workers to get quick screenings."
Malaysian Federation of Hawkers and Petty Traders Association president Datuk Seri Rosli Sulaiman said many traders were struggling as many people were still reluctant to leave their homes due to the pandemic.
"I know it's hard for traders because even after they are allowed to resume business since May 4, the response has not been great. What's important is to make sure we are fully free from the coronavirus."
Rosli said some people might regard Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's announcement as a bitter pill to swallow, but he believed it was for the best.
Association of Registered Childcare Providers Malaysia president Anisa Ahmad said she was relieved to learn about the CMCO extension because daycare centres still needed to figure out how they would resume operations.
"This is the best decision for us and it is in line with what the Health director-general said last Friday about childcare centres still not being allowed to operate.
"Not only is it almost impossible to distance young children, it is also not good for children's growth and development too."
Malaysia Association of Hotels chief executive officer Yap Lip Seng had a different view.
He said the extension of the CMCO meant that the recovery of the hospitality industry would be further delayed.
"Despite understanding the need to extend the CMCO for the greater good, in the current climate, hotels will likely be the last to recover from the economic slowdown due to this pandemic."
Yap said the government must understand that the tourism industry was suffering more than any other industry, and the sector needed additional aid to survive.
He said the hotel and tourism industry was among the top three sectors that generated income for the country, and it was only reasonable for the government to extend more help to this industry.