MDCC asks MITI to consult state authorities before approving businesses to operate

President Chris Daniel Wong has expressed concern as some non-essential businesses have been given approval to operate during the nationwide total lockdown.

"We have received reports that some non-essential businesses were allowed to operate after furnishing inaccurate information," he said, adding that MITI should go down to the ground to check whether the applicants were in the essential services category before processing their application.

"While barbershops and hair salons are not allowed to open, manufacturers such as wood processing companies were given approval to operate. I don't see how these companies can be categorised as essential services," he said in an interview with Bernama TV on the "Ruang Bicara" programme last night.

Clearly, by taking such an approach, Wong said the people could see MITI's transparency and fairness in granting approval to essential businesses to operate.

Until 7.30am on Thursday, a total of 128,150 companies involving 1.57 million employees had obtained approval to operate under MCO 3.0 with strict adherence to the new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Wong advised businesses especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that were allowed to continue operations to capitalise on the opportunity to expand their business overseas to boost the economy, as many companies were not allowed to open under MCO 3.0.

"Many SMEs have gone bankrupt, especially those in the tourism and event management sectors," he said.

Wong said most SMEs were willing to stop operation for two weeks to a month, but more than 50 per cent of the businesses will be folded if MCO 4.0 were to be implemented.