SOME industries that are not allowed to operate under the movement control order are now taking advantage of Putrajaya’s decision to allow some sectors to start, said Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The senior minister said this would explain the recent surge in the number of vehicles on the road.

“Non-essential businesses want to start operating. Only factories and companies that have received clearance from the International Trade and Industry Ministry can start operating.

“Companies must apply to the ministry before they can run their businesses,” Ismail told the daily media briefing on the Covid-19 situation.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had on April 10 said the government would allow businesses in selected sectors to resume operations in stages during the MCO period, which was extended to April 28.

That same day, the International Trade and Industry Ministry said industries allowed to operate are: machinery and equipment, aerospace and science, professional and technical services, including research and development (R&D) related to legal practice, oil and gas, and activities related Covid-19. 

Its website, however, crashed due to the high number of visitors trying to register their companies.

The ministry then apologised for its inaccessible online application system after earning a raft of complaints.

The ministry also clarified that the approval given to firms to operate during the first and second phases of the MCO is still valid during the third phase.

“But these firms are encouraged to make new applications so that their approval letters will follow the new format that comes with a QR code” it had said. – April 16, 2020.