Malaysian SMEs told to self-enforce MCO SOPs

SME Association of Malaysia president Datuk Michael Kang said audit teams should check in-person whether the employees working in the branches and outlets of a company are adhering to the standard operating procedures (SOPs).  

“Don’t wait until checks are done by the authorities. It will be too late if the company is ordered to close for seven days and slapped with a RM50,000 (US$12,063) fine for non-compliance with the SOP,” he said. 

He reminded employees that travel work permits should only be used for work-related activities and not for “gallivanting and socialising with friends”. 

Meanwhile, Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai said employees have been told to stop work-related travel other than their daily commute to work, including migrating all physical meetings to the online platforms. 

FMM employers will also continue to be vigilant about maintaining strict compliance to the SOP as workers’ dormitories pose higher risks of spreading the virus, he said. 

Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia SMEs committee chairman Koong Lin Loong said though there was initial confusion over the allowance of 60% of private sector staff physically at work, the association has since clarified that a maximum of 60% of the total number of workers can be present during any one shift. 

READ: Malaysia calls on businesses to prepare operating under stricter SOPs

Master Builders Association Malaysia (MBAM) said contractors would comply with the tighter SOP though it would mean delays of between 60% and 80% in projects as “productivity at construction sites is not something that can be carried out remotely”, according to The Star.