KUALA LUMPUR (July 13): The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) is appealing to the government to allow the automotive sector to resume operations in states placed under the Covid-19-driven Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO), as well as those under phases one and two of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) as the automotive supply chain has been seriously affected by such policies to curb the spread of the pandemic.

In a statement today, MAA president Datuk Aishah Ahmad said the whole supply chain in the automotive sector has been seriously affected particularly by the complete shutdown of operations in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur enclaves which have been placed under the EMCO.

"Feedback received from many of our members indicated that business operations even in non-EMCO states are hampered due to disruptions in the supply chain," Aishah said.

The MAA's statement said the consequences arising from operational stoppages in automotive factories, workshops, and distribution centres within Selangor and Kuala Lumpur EMCO enclaves are very serious.

The longer these automotive factories, workshops, and distribution centres which comprise distribution hubs for vehicles and automotive spare parts stop operating, greater damages will be inflicted on the automotive industry and the country.

"Therefore, MAA would like to appeal to the government to allow automotive sector activities (workshops and distribution centres for passenger and commercial vehicles and spare parts) to operate with immediate effect albeit at certain capacity and with strict SOPs (standard operating procedures) in place in states under EMCO, Phase 1 of NRP and Phase 2 of NRP.

"Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur accounted for close to 50% of Malaysia's total industry volume (TIV) per annum. Many of the key automotive companies for both production of vehicles and components are located within these two states. In addition, some MAA members also have their sole and/or central distribution centre (for vehicles and spare parts) located within Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.

"MAA also hopes that the government will allow factories and distribution centres for vehicles and spare parts, and new vehicle showrooms to operate in Phases 1 and 2 of the NRP. In addition, to reduce congestion at ports, MAA is proposing to allow a window of two to three days per week for receiving and storing cargoes for the automotive sector similar to what was practised during MCO (Movement Control Order) 1.0 last year," MAA said.

On July 1, 2021, it was reported that the EMCO would be imposed on 34 mukims or enclaves in Selangor besides 14 localities in Kuala Lumpur from July 3 until this Friday (July 16).

It was reported that in Selangor, the EMCO was enforced within Petaling district enclaves of Petaling, Damansara, Sungai Buloh and Bukit Raja, Hulu Langat district enclaves of Hulu Langat, Ampang, Cheras, Kajang, Semenyih and Beranang, Sepang district enclaves of Dengkil, Labu and Sepang, besides Gombak district enclaves of Batu, Rawang, Setapak, Hulu Kelang and Kuang.

"Also involved are the Kuala Langat district (Mukim Tanjung 12 [1], Tanjung 12 [2], Teluk Panglima Garang, Morib, Bandar, Jugra and Batu), Klang district (Mukim Kapar and Klang), Kuala Selangor district (Mukim Ijok, Bestari Jaya and Jeram), and Hulu Selangor district (Mukim Serendah, Rasa, Ulu Yam and Batang Kali)," Bernama reported.

"Meanwhile, in Kuala Lumpur, areas involved include the Sri Semarak People's Housing Project (PPR), Batu Muda PPR, Wangsa Maju Section 1 and Section 2 flats, Kampung Padang Balang, Taman Koperasi Polis (Phases 1 and 2), Sri Sabah flats, Kampung Puah and Kampung Baru Air Panas PPR. 

"Desa Pandan flats (including Baiduri and Delima), Kampung Batu Muda, Kerinchi PPR, Bandar Baru Sentul and Taman Ikan Emas are also involved," Bernama reported.

On Saturday (July 10), news reports quoting Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said that the NRP was an agile plan, and that it would continue to be enhanced according to current situation and needs.

It was reported that Tengku Zafrul said the NRP was a comprehensive package, comprising six main principles to drive the country's economic recovery.

"These include balancing life and livelihood, providing clarity, rebuilding trust and providing a benchmark for performance monitoring," Bernama reported.