Commercial vehicles to run as usual despite CMCO in Klang, Sabah, says Wee

 

Wee Ka Siong says businesses can operate but must strictly comply with the SOPs set by the health ministry.

PUTRAJAYA: All commercial vehicles that transport goods or are used by businesses, such as buses to transport workers, are allowed to operate as usual during the conditional movement control order (CMCO) period in Klang, Selangor as well as the Sandakan, Papar and Tuaran districts in Sabah.

Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong said the government would ensure that economic activities are not restricted in order to safeguard livelihoods and employment following the implementation of the 14-day CMCO in these areas starting tomorrow, to contain the spread of Covid-19.

In a statement today, Wee said this was in line with the National Security Council’s (MKN) decision to allow all economic activities in Klang to go on normally, provided that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the health ministry and MKN were strictly adhered to.

“It is not in the nation’s interest for the economy to be stricken further as we struggle for economic revival. Klang itself has a large industrial base and is home to Malaysia’s largest container port,” he said, adding that Port Klang’s total trade activities in 2019 were worth over RM400 billion, accounting for 22% of Malaysia’s total trade activities.

Wee said the decision took into account the feedback gathered in an online meeting between the Selangor state government, its related agencies and MKN today, chaired by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

“While the government is supportive of the business and commercial sectors, it will not tolerate non-compliance with the existing SOPs to combat the pandemic.

“Companies must also actively ensure that their premises and staff are safe from exposure to Covid-19 at all times, including investing in various health screening apparatus, such as body temperature scanners, sanitisers and personal protective equipment (PPE), among others,” he said.

Wee said the government would continue to allow businesses to operate responsibly, in line with the established SOPs while the enforcement teams on the ground would monitor them by conducting visits. - FMT