CO-WORKING space owners are beginning to see response to their businesses as the economy recovers slowly from the Covid-19 pandemic.

These spaces, which offer non-permanent work zones, are taking over from traditional offices that had been forced to shut down following social-distancing norms and strict health and hygiene protocols when the movement-control order was enforced in March.

Co-working space operators told The Malaysian Insight that bookings have increased since the reopening of the economy and office sectors under the recovery MCO in mid-June.

The fact that many employers are resorting to the work-from-home model is also a help.

“When the Enhanced MCO was imposed, we didn’t make any income,” said Kelvin Chai, who runs the KCX Social Office in Section U13 in Shah Alam, Selangor.

“But now, as some offices are closed due to high rent prices, companies prefer to rent co-working space,” he said.

Another operator, Lilian Soo who started Let’s Co Space My, also in Shah Alam in September 2019, mirrored Chai’s view.

“Slowly we are getting enquiries and people are starting to rent our space. This happened recently after the RMCO was enforced,” she said.

“We are aware that there are other businesses who were badly affected and I think many now prefer to share working space instead of renting a whole building.”

Co-working space allows individuals or groups to share an office space, which results in cost savings for employers. It also provides convenience through the use of common infrastructure, such as equipment, utilities and receptionist.

Occupants typically are freelancers, entrepreneurs, start-ups and small teams wishing to take advantage of a flexible space.

In Malaysia, the cost for such space varies. Some co-working space companies offer memberships where an individual or a company may get a monthly rental as low as RM160.

Companies or individuals may rent the working space daily or monthly depending on the packages offered by the co-working space company.

Ahmad Azim Kamal, a spokesman for Worq, a co-working space company in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, said with good promotions and deals, many companies prefer to rent shared working space.

“We are seeing an increase of companies switching to work in shared spaces because they not just save money but they get other perks as well, such as discounts,” he said.

While the outlook for these co-working spaces is bright, Chai said there are some who still prefer to work from home.

“There are some of our regular clients who still work at home because they feel uncomfortable to work in a shared space.

“We do sanitise our office and we make sure that all procedures are followed.”

Soo and Azim said they, too, adhere to strict protocols, adding that they only accepted clients without any flu symptom.

Convenience, lower costs

Co-working space users, meanwhile, said they are getting used to working in this new environment.

Hakem Hikmi, a sales manager for a company in Subang, Selangor said his employer started renting co-working space a month ago.

“So now we work in a co-working space. I feel comfortable although I don’t have my own space but it is easier to communicate.

“The pandemic forced my company to cut costs. I am grateful that I still have a job,” said the 29-year-old.

Car rental owner Ahmad Hakim told The Malaysian Insight that he is now operating without an office after he decided to stop paying rent for his old office space.

His business was badly affected during the MCO and continuing to pay office rent was not a good option.

“Most of my customers are expatriates. Usually they will rent my car for months but after the control order was imposed, many decided to go back to their respective countries.

“Locals also stopped renting my car because of the MCO. Furthermore, I had to pay the salaries of my staff.

“I decided to shut the office down to cut costs. So now I do not have any office and I work from home,” said the Klang-based businessman. – September 3, 2020.