Azmin: Just over 20% of Miti-registered firms cleared to operate during lockdown

 

International Trade and Industry Minister (Miti) Datuk Seri Azmin Ali speaks during a press conference on CIMS 3.0 at Menara Miti, June 3,2021. — GLENN GUAN/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: About one-fifth of companies registered with the International Trade and Industry Minitry (Miti) have the approval to operate during the lockdown from June 1-14, says Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.

The International Trade and Industry Minister said 586,308 companies had registered with the Covid-19 Intelligent Management System (CIMS) 3.0, with a combined workforce of 10.2 million.

Of this number, 128,150 companies with a total workforce of 1.57 million have been approved to operate after taking into account a 60% physical presence in the workplace, he added.

"This is a drastic reduction in the total workforce," he told a press conference on Thursday (June 3).

Although these companies are registered with Miti, Azmin said the approvals were given by the respective ministries in charge of each sector.

Azmin said that there are 15 ministries that use the Cims system and once the respective ministries have approved the applications to operate, the companies can print the approval letters.

“Miti is not the sole decider in deciding if a business sector is considered to be an essential sector or otherwise, ” he said.

On May 31, the National Security Council (NSC) decided that approval for companies under economic sectors allowed to operate during the MCO is to be obtained via CIMS 3.0, which is coordinated by Miti.

Under the two-week lockdown which started on June 1, companies are required to apply for new approval letters for their employees to travel to work.

This led to a rush by companies to obtain the approval letters, including some confusion on whether they are categorised among the 17 essential services sectors allowed to operate during the lockdown. - Star