Leaked circular doesn't mean immediate lockdown - Eurocham

 

The EU-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Eurocham Malaysia) was in damage control mode after a letter it sent to members about a possible shut down of the economy if the number of Covid-19 cases continued to rise by Feb 4.

Eurocham Malaysia, in a statement, said the communique was supposed to be a confidential internal circular that was sent out to members following an informal meeting with the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti).

It clarified that while Miti underscored the heightened sense of urgency that currently prevails, given the rising number of cases, there was no mention of an immediate lockdown after Feb 4.

"Therefore, we seek for people to remain focused on the bigger picture – in doing their part to ensure that another lockdown is avoided instead," it said.

Eurocham Malaysia said the confidential communique was intended to relay the essence of the informal meeting with Miti and also the Malaysian government's commendable efforts in talking Covid-19.

According to the leaked circular by Eurocham Malaysia chief executive officer Sven Schneider to the chamber's members, it said the government had informed that the Health Ministry had made a "clear stand on the matter of a complete shutdown of the economy".

“Should the infection rate not decrease, the government will announce a shutdown/strict lockdown immediately after Feb 4. 

"This is the current situation we are facing and Miti is appealing to all companies, foreign and local, to join the effort of reducing infections, breaking the chain, to keep the economy open for business,” the letter read.

Eurocham Malaysia chairperson Oliver Roche, in the statement this evening, said the chamber appreciates the strong working relationship with the Malaysian government.

He urged businesses to comply with the Health Ministry's standard operating procedures (SOP) to avoid a shutdown of the economy during the ongoing second movement control order (MCO 2.0).

"There have been many reports in the media of clusters on infections associated with various factories, construction sites and other places of work. It is imperative that we urge the business community to take this matter seriously and more importantly do their part, by investing in resources assist in implementing strict SOPs – to avoid another full MCO," he said.

Meanwhile, Schneider in the same statement also praised Putrajaya's efforts in combatting the Covid-19 pandemic.

"‘While we are focused on the pandemic and its negative impacts to the economy, it is also vital to take a step back and look at how much the Malaysian government has done for its rakyat, and note that everyone, from the mass public to the business community, has a responsibility to do what we can to flatten the curve’s," he said. - Mkini