Agong approves gazetting Bill to Temporarily Reduce Effect of COVID-19

KUALA LUMPUR: The Temporary Measures Act to Reduce the Impact of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) 2020 is scheduled to be gazetted on October 23, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan.

In a statement today, he said it was in line with the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in line with Article 66 of the Federal Constitution.

He said the act has already been passed in the Dewan Rakyat on 25 August 2020, and the Dewan Negara on 22 September 2020

“This Act shall come into force for two years from the date of publication in the Government Gazette on October 23, or as the date and period of effect as has been provided in any relevant part of this act.

"This implementation as a whole can benefit every individual and company that is affected from the economic aspect due to the spread of COVID-19," he added.

At the same time, Takiyuddin said the disputed contracting parties can resolve the dispute amicably without involving the legal trial process in court through the mediation service of the COVID-19 Mediation Centre (PMC-19) established under the Prime Minister's Department.

The mediation service which will be conducted through PMC-19, he added, is open to all parties with a dispute value of RM300,000 and below.

“The government will also finance the cost of mediation services to the B40 and M40 groups as well as micro and small enterprises. Any inquiries related to this mediation service can be submitted through pertanyaan@pmc19.gov.my, ”said Takiyuddin.