MAA urges government to allow automotive sector to resume operations, says economic damage being felt

MAA urges government to allow automotive sector to resume operations, says economic damage being felt

A month and a half into the start of the nationwide lockdown that began on June 1, the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) is appealing to the government to allow automotive sector activities to resume in states currently under the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) as well as those under phase one and two of the national recovery plan (NPR).

It said that with the Malaysian automotive industry heavily dependent on the domestic market, the continued halting of production and distribution of automotive products (planned to resume in phase two of the NRP) as well as sales of vehicles will have far reaching implications to the entire automotive ecosystem nationwide.

According to MAA president Datuk Aishah Ahmad, the whole supply chain in the automotive sector has been seriously affected, particularly by the complete shutdown of operations in EMCO states/localities like Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. “Feedback received from many of our members indicated that business operations even in non-EMCO states are hampered due to disruptions in the supply chain,” she said via a press statement.

MAA urges government to allow automotive sector to resume operations, says economic damage being felt

The association said that the consequences arising from stoppages of automotive factories, workshops and parts distribution centres in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur is indeed very serious. It said that the longer these stop operating, the greater the damage that would be inflicted on the automotive industry and the country.

It said that while automotive companies may suffer from loss of revenue, profitability, export markets and closure of businesses, the government will also lose in terms of lower revenue collected from excise duties, import duties, sales taxes and road taxes for motor vehicles.

It added that Selangor and Kuala Lumpur accounts for close to 50% of Malaysia’s total industry volume (TIV) per annum, and that many of the key automotive companies for both production of vehicles and components are located within these two states. In addition, some MAA members also have their sole and or central distribution centre (for vehicles and spare parts) located within Selangor and KL.

As such, the association is appealing to the government to allow automotive sector activities – such as workshops and distribution centres for passenger/commercial vehicles as well as spare parts businesses – to operate with immediate effect, albeit at certain capacity and with strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) in place, in states under EMCO and phase one and two of the national recovery plan (NRP).

In particular, it said that the reopening of automotive workshops and part centres in EMCO states was something that needed to be addressed quickly, as their continued closure would not only cause inconvenience to all consumers at large, but may also endanger those who continue to use defective vehicles on the road, with the inability to repair or replace faulty parts in such vehicles posing a serious risk to all road users.

Additionally, in order to reduce congestion at ports, MAA is requesting that the government allow a window of two to three days per week for receiving and storing cargo for the automotive sector, similar to what was practised during the first movement control order (MCO) last year.

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Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

Comments

  • Walaon bersatu on Jul 14, 2021 at 12:32 pm

    Tutup kilang oi… sampai 2040!! Nyawa lebih penting dr Duit! Datuk Aishah nih xreti pikir ke.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 8
  • Sick & Tired on Jul 14, 2021 at 12:36 pm

    Only one felt is Selangor State Gagal, everywhere else has entered Phase 2 while Selangor breaching record cases 5000+ yesterday. Tahniah Selangor Gomen!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 9
    • YB Albert on Jul 14, 2021 at 2:12 pm

      Before we debate on kilang(which is a big contributor to current covid explosion),can the menteri explain why car workshops/spare parts shops are still banned?
      Some of the poor rakyat has only a single boneshaker left.How to go for vaccination or buy groceries if the car brakes down ? Even the tow truck driver is baffled people are towing their cars to their house instead of the tutup workshop.
      You can go to some busy kopitiams..lots of crowding even with take aways only.If the authorities fear the non aircon workshops bring covid clusters, you might as well close all the kopitiams,pharmacies,banks etc.
      It is akin to pouring boiling oil into an open wound,if this state of complete insanity continues.
      SOPs are meant to control the virus,not drive people to insanity.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 13
      • Josh C on Jul 14, 2021 at 2:36 pm

        Some workshops are closed because the owner didnt want to take the trouble to apply for MITI (due to flip flop gov decision and check on SOP). They rather wait until the gov allow them to open without applying. Some of the shop I know give this as the reason.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
        • YB Albert on Jul 14, 2021 at 5:17 pm

          It is a blanket ban,sir.You can refer to earlier Paul tan writeup.You can’t apply to miti.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
          • Dr Strange on Jul 15, 2021 at 12:11 pm

            Workshops in areas that are within Phase 2 are allowed to open. Refer to MKN SOP.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • Copy Paste on Jul 14, 2021 at 3:57 pm

        Copy paste: “Of course, the SOPs also state you’re not allowed out of the house (except to buy food, groceries or essentials), so you really can’t be sending your car in for service, can you?”

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • Copy Paste on Jul 14, 2021 at 3:58 pm

        Copy paste: “For those who complain about lockdown, no work, no money, so hard, govt fail, yadda, yadda, yadda, yadda…

        This is the perfect reason why we cannot lessen our vigilance, the virus can strike anytime anywhere, so we cannot lower our guard down until it is under control.

        Those who complain must THINK SAFETY FIRST!”

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • Copy Paste on Jul 14, 2021 at 3:59 pm

        Copy paste: “The EMCO only applies to selected KL & Selangor districts so if you are covered by insurance, your agent should able to direct your breakdown vehicles to districts not within EMCO. I don’t see any problem here.”

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • Copy Paste on Jul 14, 2021 at 4:00 pm

        Copy paste: “Raja Kamarul on Jul 04, 2021 at 8:23 am
        I was able to send my car to AB Jln Tun Razak yesterday or Saturday. I’m not in an EMCO area to be sure, but I suppose the risk is if the workers are from EMCO or red zone areas.”

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • Copy Paste on Jul 14, 2021 at 4:02 pm

        Copy paste: “Now cobis virus is everywhere. They are no longer exist in clusters. Malaysian must be careful and take stringent care.

        Please wear additional face shield, or double masking in packed public places. Refrain from touching things in public places too.

        If not, once you contract cobis virus surely regret to no end.”

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • Those who refused to comply will complain. Those who comply have continued operations without problems.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Copy Paste on Jul 14, 2021 at 12:44 pm

    Copy paste: “Pekerja kilang, pembuatan juga WAJIB jalani saringan 2 kali seminggu… selain mengambil pemvaksinan.

    Langkah tersebut bertujuan memperketatkan lagi syarat kebenaran pengoperasian kilang di kawasan PKPD Selangor. Arahan bernas dari Menteri MITI, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali… demi Kesihatan marhaen & ekonomi negara..”

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 2
    • Josh C on Jul 14, 2021 at 2:42 pm

      Saya ada 1 cadangan. Mana-mana sektor yang sudah dan yang akan dibuka, seharusnya WAJIB jalani saringan SEKALI dan diberikan suntikan vaksin sebelum dibenarkan beroperasi.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
      • Optimus on Jul 14, 2021 at 4:14 pm

        Vaksin bukan segalanya wahai manusia jahil. Spt kes Ideal PPV mana petugas yg dah divaksin pun boleh dijangkiti. Kita mesti sentiasa berwaspada dan sekali test saja TIDAK MENCUKUPI LANGSUNG dari memastikan tiada kluster.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Taukeh ada berani buat? on Jul 14, 2021 at 9:44 pm

    Open kilang is no problem. However, kilang bosses should be fine kaw-kaw if their staffs are kobis positive. 10k fine for each worker/staff found to be kobis positive.

    All medical expenses foot by the bosses. At the same time, staff/worker gaji jalan.

    Ada berani?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • rosdi on Jul 15, 2021 at 11:48 am

      TUTUP KILANG TERUS! Toksah susah2 bruh…
      Buang smue pekerja.. Buang, Buang! Sokong kjaan, Sokong jemin..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • newme on Jul 15, 2021 at 9:46 am

    Would MAA president take responsibility if there is kilang cluster?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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