BMCC Newsletter #260 (12 July 2021) | British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce Berhad on Glue Up

Issue #260 - 12 July 2021

Dear Subscriber,

Employee Vaccination Programmes

With the rising numbers and severity of COVID-10 cases in the country, ramping up public-private sector collaborations to vaccinate workers en masse will help to control the spread of the virus and speed up the reopening of the economy. Below are two employee vaccination programmes currently open for registration.

Public-Private Partnership Industrial Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PIKAS)

The Public-Private Partnership Industrial Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PIKAS) led by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) was launched as Phase 4 of the National COVID-19 Immunisation Program (PICK) to accelerate immunisation of the Rakyat.

PIKAS is open to companies from the manufacturing sector. Agriculture, construction, plantation and retail sectors can be referred to the respective ministries as follows:

Agriculture – Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries (MAFI)
Construction – Construction Industry Development Board, Ministry of Works (KKR)
Plantation – Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC)
Retail – Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP)

Under PIKAS, the government provides free vaccines, while the private sector manages the administration of the Vaccination Administration Centre (PPV) including engaging the services of private medical practitioners.

As at 27 June 2021, a total of 669,846 workers from 4,537 companies across Malaysia have registered in PIKAS.

On 2 July 2021, Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said vaccine dispensing centre (PPV) operators have been asked to impose a standard RM45 charge for each dose of Covid-19 vaccine under PIKAS. The ministry has requested a standard cost of RM30 for each dose (and) RM15 to be paid to ProtectHealth Corporation Sdn Bhd. This is to ensure that employers do not incur excessive costs for vaccination services.

PIKAS will be extended nationwide and also expanded to include employees in the construction sector starting July 2021, as announced by the coordinating minister of the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme Khairy Jamaluddin on 28 June 2021.

More information here.

Manual for online application here.

Selangor Vaccine Programme (Selvax)

The Selangor Vaccine Programme (Selvax) is the first and only independent initiative by a Malaysian state so far. The Selangor state government, through its own healthcare firm Selgate, had purchased 2.5 million doses of Sinovac vaccine, locally finished by Malaysian pharmaceutical group Pharmaniaga.

The state government aims to vaccinate 1 million employees (2 million doses of vaccine) under the Selvax Industry programme, which is open to companies/industries to participate voluntarily. However, companies/industries must cover the cost of participating in the Selvax Industry programme to vaccinate their employees, and they cannot impose any fees on their employees. The total cost for the two doses per employee is RM350.

The five vaccination centres for Selvax Industry are Tropicana Gardens Mall in Kota Damansara, Evo Mall in Bandar Baru Bangi, Hotel De Palma in Shah Alam, Kompleks Sukan PKNS in Kelana Jaya and Aurora Place in Bukit Jalil.

Vaccinations can also be conducted via the workplace vaccination programme, subject to the suitability of the location, as well as Selcare panel clinics in Selangor and the Klang Valley.

More information and registration here.

BMCC Urges PM to Consider Concerted Government-Industry Effort to Re-Strategise Way Out of Pandemic

The BMCC has written a letter to the Prime Minister urging him to reconsider the recently announced National Recovery Plan, in which the economy will be gradually reopened as COVID-19 cases decrease and vaccination rates rise, in view of the increasingly dire hardship that business and the rakyat is experiencing due to the full lockdown.

The letter, which presented recommendations from the BMCC Advisory Group, urged the Prime Minister to instead contemplate other constructive solutions that prioritise concerted government-industry effort to lessen the stress to the economy.

This is the second time BMCC has officially written to the government to voice the views of our members on the handling of the national pandemic measures. Prior to this, the BMCC had written a letter to MITI in May 2021 to state our opinions, in which we emphasised our support for enhanced testing, accelerated vaccine rollout and targeted restrictions instead of a full lockdown, whether state-specific or nationwide.

The BMCC Advisory Group comprises senior representatives from BMCC Membership, who take a leadership role to create a platform to discuss issues affecting the investor and business community with the key aim of channelling feedback and recommendations as a collective voice to relevant regulators, policy makers and government agencies from both UK and Malaysia.

For BMCC members only ─ To find out more or to join the Group, please write to BMCC CEO Jennifer Lopez at ceo@bmcc.org.my.

BritCham Indonesia Webinar |

Plastic Waste Reduction Credits: An Introduction to the New Initiative

There is currently a growing momentum to put a halt on plastic pollution and move closer towards circularity, mostly due to growing scientific evidence, public pressure, and regulation. This session will introduce and explore the role of plastic credits, a new environmental market-based financial mechanism, to address the plastic pollution problem in Indonesia and the region. We will be discussing current international best practices, the 3R Initiative and Verra's plastics programme to accelerate the uptake and increase the accountability of plastic waste reduction efforts.

Panellists:

Emilie Devenport, Managing Consultant – Plastics at South Pole
Maggie Lee, Lead – Plastic Program at Verra

Date: Tuesday, 13 July 2021

Time: 3.00pm (JKT) / 4.00pm (MYT) / 9.00am (UKT)

Flyer here.

British Chambers of Commerce |

BCC Monthly Economic Review – July 2021

Take a look at the BCC's Monthly Economic Review for July in PDF and Word versions. This briefing is the British Chambers of Commerce's analysis of the key domestic and international economic indicators for business.

This month's headlines:

UK GDP growth picked up strongly in April as Covid restrictions eased;
UK inflation rises above target amid the release of pent-up demand and supply chain disruption;
BCC forecasts record UK GDP growth in 2021, but an uneven recovery.

Please contact Suren Thiru with any queries.

British Chambers of Commerce Webinar |

Crossing Continents – Moving Goods under Transit

The volume of goods being exported from the UK under the Common Transit Convention has increased significantly since Brexit.

Why is this method of import and export becoming more popular and how does a trader access the service?
What are the advantages and disadvantages to using Transit?
What is the role of a consignee and a consignor?
What does it cost to move goods in this way?

Join us to find out answers to these questions and hear from Liam Smyth, Director of Trade Facilitation at the British Chambers of Commerce and Director at Chamber Customs and also experts from HM Revenue & Customs.

Date: Thursday, 22 July 2021

Time: 2.00pm - 3.00pm (UKT) / 9.00am - 10.00am (MYT)

Open to all. Register here.

MITI-MOH Webinar |

Empowerment of Employers in Prevention of Covid-19 in the Workplace

The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) will be organising a virtual briefing on the Empowerment of Employers in Prevention of COVID-19 in the Workplace.

Programme:

Topic 1

Update on COVID-19 in Malaysia

(Dr Siti Nor bt Mat, PH Physician, National CPRC, MOH)

Topic 2

Categorisation and Investigation of Workplace Clusters

(Dr Jaseema, PH Physician, Surveillance Section, MOH)

Topic 3

COVID-19 SOP at the Workplace

(Dr Priya, Public Health Physician, Occupational & Environmental Health Sector, MOH)

Topic 4

PICK ─ COVID-19 Vaccination for the Public and Workers

(Dr Hanif Zailani PH Physician)

Topic 5

MYSEJAHTERA and HIDE

(Dr Maheshwara Rao, PH Physician specialised in AI and geospatial)

Date: Tuesday, 13 July 2021

Time: 10.30am

Platform: Facebook Live.

National Recovery Plan (NRP) and SOP Updates

1) NRP Phase 1 SOP (Updated 9 July 2021)

Updated from SOP of 6 July 2021 with the removal of Sabah.

NRP Phase 1 SOP (BM version) here.

NRP Phase 1 SOP (Unofficial English version*) here.

2) NRP Phase 2 SOP (Updated 9 July 2021)

The states which are placed under NRP Phase 2 as at 7 July 2021 are as follows:

Kelantan,
Pahang,
Perak,
Terengganu
Perlis, and
Penang (effective 7 July 2021)

NRP Phase 2 SOP (BM version) here.

NRP Phase 2 SOP (Unofficial English version*) here.

3) Critical Sectors that Support Production of Healthcare Products, Food and Beverages as well as Global Supply Chains are Allowed to Operate in Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) Areas in Selangor

The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) announced on 7 July 2021 that the following sectors in the EMCO areas in Selangor are allowed to operate with immediate effect:

Electrical & Electronics (E&E) sector and its supply chains;
Aerospace sector (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO));
Machinery and Equipment (M&E) sector for the production of healthcare and food products;
Key food and beverage manufacturing companies.

MITI media statement and MITI EMCO SOP for Selangor (updated 7 July 2021)** here.

4) EMCO for Indahpura and Senai Industrial Zones in Johor (9-22 July 2021)

Effective 9 July to 22 July 2021, the EMCO will be imposed at the Indahpura Industrial Zone as well as seven areas within the Senai Industrial Zone due to the high number of Covid-19 cases there.

Infographic here.

*Unofficial English translation by EuroCham Malaysia republished with permission by the BMCC, an associate member of EuroCham Malaysia.

**Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) Circular republished with permission by the BMCC, an Association member of the MEF.

PM Appoints Ismail Sabri as DPM and Hishammuddin as Senior Minister

On 7 July 2021, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) announced the appointment of Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as Deputy Prime Minister, who will continue to oversee the Ministry of Defence portfolio, while Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein was appointed Senior Minister to head the Security Cluster ─ previously under Ismail Sabri ─ and assist the Prime Minister in the execution of the National Recovery Plan.

Media statement (BM version) here.

Media statement (unofficial English translation*) here.

Related news article here.

The BMCC welcomes our latest member companies, New World Capital Advisors Sdn Bhd, Sannam S4 Sdn Bhd and Renexus (M) Berhad to our growing affiliation of more than 200 leading businesses in Malaysia from all industrial spectrums.

New World Group is a global diversified investment company. We build, acquire, invest and scale businesses focusing on long‐term growth. We add value to our partners and portfolio companies through origination and execution to value realisation.

Principal Representative:

Lena Tan (Chairman / Managing Director)

E: ltan@nwgp.com | T: +60 182822822| W: www.nwgp.com

Established in 2008, Sannam S4 works with globally ambitious education institutions, companies, non-profit organisations, trade bodies and government agencies. Operating in 20+ countries, Sannam S4 enables clients to explore, enter, and expand in dynamic markets by providing market research, finance & accounting, tax & compliance, recruitment and HR advisory. In the education sector, Sannam S4 delivers a range of services to drive international student recruitment and enrolment, foster transnational education partnerships, and inform and implement strategy. We serve 100 education sector clients, including many of the world's top 20 universities, K12 school groups, EdTech companies and government bodies.

Principal Representative:

Sreya Ghose (Head Partner Success SEA)

E: sreya.ghose@sannams4.com | T: +91 2267161032 | W: www.sannams4.com

RENEXUS (M) BERHAD is a company that provides comprehensive turnkey solutions, and connects global investors to cleantech projects across the Asia Pacific. Its cleantech solutions help nations to accelerate IR5.0 adoption and achieve their sustainable development goals. RENEXUS works with national institutions and industries to identify cleantech solutions, harness the power of disruptive innovations to leapfrog the linear path of progress to clean growth, higher productivity and a clean economy.

RENEXUS Group’s Cleantech Smart City "NEXUS ONE PLATFORM" (NX1) powered by AVEVA that systematises Unified Operations Centre, is a true “System of Systems” approach of solving the complex challenges of Smart Cities that fulfil Environmental, Social Governance (ESG) measurements. Renexus specialises in the areas of Technology (ICT/IoT) Consulting, Implementation of Public/Enterprise Policy.

Areas of focus are Smart Cities, Smart Infrastructure, Healthcare Analytics, Next Generation Data Centres, World Class Manufacturing/Industry 4.0, and Industry 5.0, Crisis Response and Mitigation systems.

Principal Representative:

Dr John Bhopinderpal Singh Klerr (Group Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer)

E: john@renexusgroup.com | T: +6012 222 2999 | W: www.renexusgroup.com

Skrine Webinar |

We are Online: Is Your Brand Protection Keeping Up?

By all accounts, e-commerce has flourished amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Where consumers flock, infringers are following too. Join us in this webinar as we discuss issues, risks and strategy for Brand Protection online.

Email us any question or issue which you wish to raise during this webinar.

Date: Friday, 16 July 2021

Time: 11.00am - 11.40am (MYT)

Flyer here.

Virtual LHAG Corporate Counsel Conference |

Legal Currents: Tech in 2021, 15-16 July 2021

Every year, with the exception of 2020, Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill organises the Corporate Counsel Day exclusively for the corporate counsel community. The informative seminar discusses a wide range of legal issues of pertinence in Malaysia. This year’s event, themed “Legal Currents: Tech in 2021”, is the first to be held virtually. Jaco Benadie and Ng Jern-Fei QC will grace the occasion as guest speakers.

Do sign up and hear from these LHAG lawyers in their respective sessions:

· Dato’ Nitin Nadkarni

· Andrew Chiew Ean Vooi

· G Vijay Kumar

· Steven SY Tee

· Teo Wai Sum

· Eunice Chan Wei Lynn

· Crystal Wong Wai Chin

· Jason Tan Jia Xin

· Chng Keng Lung

· Eleena Abd Wahab

Day 1 registration | Day 2 registration

Brochure here.

Tenby Schools |

What is Amazing Learning? Have You Had an "Oh No!" That Turned into an "Oh Wow!" Moment?

Listen to our community as they share their own personal experiences of Amazing Learning with you.

At Tenby Schools and as a community, we believe that each learning journey is unique and it is about getting better.

We encourage our students to think the problem through, ask questions, and find the best solutions. They are resilient and persistent. They don’t give up and they "wow" themselves because they have done better than they thought they could!

Find out more about our Amazing Learning philosophy here today!

Asia Pacific Schools |

How Do We Go from an "Oh No!" to an "Oh Wow!" Experience?

"I changed from micromanaging to being able to stand back and watch student leaders develop and run the show, I realised - Wow, I made that happen!" ─ Ms. Juman, Deputy Head of Secondary

At Asia Pacific Schools, we believe it is necessary to experience breakthroughs. Breakthroughs happen when we persevere and are successful in achieving our goals and outcomes. This enables us to say that "I didn’t realise I could do that, but I found a way!"

Find out how our teachers encourage "Oh wow!" moments for your child here today!

Malaysia Airlines |

Enjoy Exclusive Perks and Bigger Savings on Your Company's Expenditure

MHbiz Travel aims to optimise your business travels by providing you with corporate discounts, special services and higher flexibility. Depending on your travel volume, choose between MHbiz Plus or MHbiz Pro and enjoy exclusive perks and bigger savings on your company’s expenditure.

Set your appointment today with our Corporate Relationship Manager via MHbiz PRO Hospitality Desk for a complimentary Live Demo for MHbiz PRO product.

More information here.

E-brochure here.

The British Council |

Study UK and Alumni UK Updates

Check out the upcoming British Council activities below! Of particular interest is the Alumni UK platform – we urge all UK alumni and interested employers to be involved in this exciting initiative.

Study UK Pre-Departure Briefing

17 July and 11 August 2021 | 4.00pm - 5.30pm

Prospective students, students who have received an offer from UK institutions, parents and guardians, register now for an early pass to secure your slot in the Study UK pre-departure briefing that will provide you with pre-travel advice.

Alumni UK Platform

Alumni UK is the British Council's new platform that enables Malaysian UK alumni to come together in one place to join groups with their alma mater, message fellow alumni, view job vacancies from employers, receive employability and career tips, discover British Council events, find out about cultural events relating to the UK and more. Register here.

St. John’s International Secondary School |

Open Month (1 July - 31 July 2021)

At St. John’s International Secondary School, students' enthusiasm in learning and developing themselves through our programme is fundamental to our continued success.

Join us for our Open Month and get a thorough glance at our school. Register with us to enjoy exclusive rebates and book an appointment with us. Admissions open for 2021/2022 intake!

Date: 1 July - 31 July 2021

Time: 9.00am - 5.30pm (Weekdays) / 9.00am - 1.00pm (Saturdays)

For more information, please give us a call at +603 2022 4881, or reach us via email at openday@sjis.edu.my

or joey@sjis.edu.my.

Flyer here.

Garth Coates Solicitors |

Representative of an Overseas Business (Sole Representative)

Is your business looking to set up a branch or subsidiary in the UK? The Representative of an Overseas Business Visa (aka Sole Representative) is the perfect route for Malaysian companies and organisations seeking to establish or expand their business in the UK.

Find out more about how Garth Coates Solicitors can assist your application for a Representative of an Overseas Business here.

Marlborough College Malaysia Achieves World-Beating IB Results

A world-beating IB Diploma performance by Marlborough College Malaysia’s Upper Sixth candidates and their dedicated beaks has been applauded once again. In a year of unprecedented disruption when IB studies were repeatedly moved online by government responses to Covid-19, MCM candidates completed their exams and achieved an outstanding 100% success rate again, surpassing all global and Asia-Pacific benchmarks.

Media release here.

HSBC Malaysia, UNGCMYB Collaborate to Strengthen MME's Sustainability Efforts

HSBC Malaysia has launched a collaboration with the United Nations Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei (UNGCMYB) to strengthen the sustainability capability of Mid-Market Enterprises.

Under the initiative, it will be organising a series of CEO roundtables and developing a guidebook for CEOs, entitled "CEO Guide for Positive Climate Actions".