Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) president Soh Thian Lai said there is an apparent lack of coordination among the agencies, “making life very difficult” for FMM members.
“The industries are subjected to numerous raids and visits by different enforcement agencies at different times,” he told FMT. “During this very challenging period, these raids really disrupt operations.”
Soh also said enforcement teams were sometimes accompanied by media representatives, and this made business owners “very uncomfortable”.
“Given the reduced capacity that most companies are working on currently, being subject to almost daily visits is disruptive and disturbing.
“The enforcement teams are sometimes large and at times do not abide by SOPs the companies apply on visitors.”
Calling for better coordination among the authorities, he pleaded for time for companies to rectify problems, saying they should not be immediately closed down and slapped with punitive fines.
Soh said many cash-strapped small and medium enterprises were operating in fear despite having the necessary approvals to operate.
“We call on the government to consider an en bloc approval for the entire supply chain of essential sectors to operate.
“Companies in the essential sectors are facing challenges in sustaining their operations as many of their key suppliers are considered to be non-essential and have not been allowed to operate,” he said.
Chin Chee Seong, the national vice-president of the SME Association of Malaysia, also voiced concern over the manner in which the authorities were carrying out checks at factories.
He claimed that enforcement officers would not produce official letters or warrants when inspecting business premises.
“We don’t mind spot checks but we feel as if we are being targeted. We also have concerns about outsiders coming into our premises. What if they have Covid-19?”
Yesterday, a news report said the home ministry had ordered 63 factories to close down since Monday.
During the period, the ministry and its agencies inspected 7,387 factories and 41,383 business premises, resulting in 21 arrests and the issuance of 201 compound notices.
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