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KUALA LUMPUR: Amid the third phase of the movement control order (MCO), the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) has urged the government to prepare an exit strategy from the MCO to facilitate business operations.

This comes after close to 50% of companies surveyed indicated that they need more than six months to recover post-MCO, according to a poll done by ACCCIM’s think tank Socio-Economic Research Centre (SERC).

The survey was done on 916 companies from a wide range of industries.

ACCCIM president Tan Sri Datuk Ter Leong Yap said that post-MCO, the government needed to look into co-sharing the cost of health prevention through tax deductions on health costs, continued disinfection operations nationwide and setting clear and enforcement of standard operating procedures (SOPs).

He said 83.9% of businesses surveyed agreed to have SOPs, reflecting their strong commitment to protect workers and customers’ health.

“Around 76.2% of businesses are also well prepared to comply with the SOPs though some small and micro enterprises have a low preparation, ” Ter said.

However, he pointed out that businesses surveyed cited three challenges to comply with the SOP which include incurring additional health prevention costs, workplace layout not suitable for one-meter safe distancing and employees worrying about their health safety.

Besides that, Ter proposed the government to prepare an economic revival plan to stabilise and turn around the economy and help businesses to restart.

“SERC will be submitting a comprehensive economic revitalisation plan to the Prime Minister, Senior Minister of International Trade and Industry, Finance Minister and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Economy this week, ” Ter noted.

Although the recovery journey ahead remains challenging, Ter believes that businesses can regain their lost momentum with the support from the government should they persevere and remain focused.

Source : https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2020/04/22/call-for-mco-exit-strategy-to-facilitate-business-ops