DPMM wants govt to take 'bold measures' to curb COVID-19 transmission

In a statement today, DPMM said its proposals were based on Health Ministry data that showed the manufacturing sector accounting for 48 per cent of cases from COVID-19 clusters.

"(The EMCO) can be done by placing all employed foreign workers in budget hotels within the district or worker hostels during the EMCO period.

"The employers involved must bear the costs. There should be no compromise because their failure has serious implications for other Malaysians," it said.

DPMM also suggested introducing flexible working or operating hours for workplaces and places of business to avoid huge crowds forming in public places.

The chamber also proposed that the government introduce loan and rental payment moratoriums as well as a wage subsidy programme for six months starting May 1, 2021.

"The moratorium should cover all types of loans under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance and Bank Negara Malaysia and from licensed lenders, as well as credit sales including via credit cards, with no additional charge, profit or interest imposed during the period," it said.

On standard operating procedures (SOPs) imposed, DPMM wants improved coordination among the National Security Council (MKN), the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, state governments and local authorities to prevent confusion. Local authorities, it added, should not be allowed to make additional SOPs without the approval of the respective state governments and MKN.

DPMM also suggested that the government establish a COVID-19 crisis action period up to Dec 31, 2023, to enable all parties to plan and implement the MCO based on a certain schedule.

"We already have Conditional MCO and Recovery MCO protocols so they should be used proactively," it said.