Special Issue #5 (24 Mar 2020) Dear Subscriber, *BMCC Members are welcomed to share any news, research findings, press releases, corporate announcements, surveys or questionnaires etc. related to COVID-19 with us. We will assist to disseminate your content to all our readers on this channel. PM: Govt to channel additional RM600m to MOH to fight Covid-19, hire more contract staff 23 Mar 2020, Malay Mail The government will be channelling an additional RM600 million to the Ministry of Health (MOH) to aid their fight to contain Covid-19, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced [yesterday]. In a press conference which was broadcast live, he said that RM500 million would go to efforts to break the Covid-19 infection chain, which includes purchasing of additional ventilators, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) equipment, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for medical workers, as well as lab paraphernalia, to conduct Covid-19 testing. “To hasten the purchase of these critical items, the government utilised the emergency procurement procedures,” he said. Another RM100 million would go towards the hiring of 2,000 contract staff, especially nurses. As part of our business continuity plans during this Movement Control Order, the BMCC is keeping our members updated on the latest on COVID-19 developments, including Government initiatives and the sharing of knowledge and best practices from our members. In this issue, we'll be covering: - Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs - FAQ & amp; Application for Operational Continuity - Ministry of Finance - Press Release & amp; FAQ on Economic Stimulus Package - KWSP | EPF - FAQs on monthly RM500 EPF withdrawal applications - National Security Council - FAQs (English version) - Impact of Movement Control Order - BMCC Survey *We have also included a new column dedicated to highlighting our member's CSR initiatives and call for support in light of the ongoing COVID-19 predicament. NOTICE: Always refer to official announcements by the National Security Council on matters related to the Movement Control Order and official FAQs issued by related Ministries and Agencies for clarifications. BMCC will aim to highlight the relevant FAQs as much as possible. If you require urgent assistance or need any clarifications, please contact us at comms@bmcc.org.my 1. Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs - FAQ & Online Application for Continuation of Operations This FAQ by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs related to the Movement Control Order covers the following operation continuity statuses for: - Distribution centres - Restaurants, bakeries, Ready to Eats (RTE), food courts - Grocery / sundry shops, shopping malls, supermarkets - e-Commerce Online Application for Continuation of Operations IMPORTANT: If you are part of a supply chain business and would like to make a formal request to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairsto continue your operations, during the Movement Control Order, please complete the online form in the button below. 2. Ministry of Finance - Press Release & FAQ on Economic Stimulus Package This Media Release (23 Mar) by the Ministry of Finance related to the Movement Control Order covers the following: - Tax Deductions for contributions and donations to COVID-19 fund and Ministry of Health - Import Duty exemptions and sales tax for face masks - Economic Stimulus Implementation * Coordination Unit - Second Economic Stimulus Package 2020 3. KWSP | EPF - FAQs on monthly RM500 EPF withdrawal applications Employees Provident Fund (EPF) says that EPF members may apply for the i-Lestari Account 2 Withdrawal Scheme beginning 1 April 2020. They can expect their savings to be deposited into their bank accounts from 1 May 2020. Chief EPF Officer Alizakri Alias said, “i-Lestari will provide some relief to those financially affected during this period of concern and uncertainty. As a retirement fund, the EPF has to strike a balance between our mandate to safeguard our members’ retirement savings, and caring for their well-being.” - - 4. National Security Council - FAQs (English version) ENGLISH VERSION - FAQs on Movement Control Order by the National Security Council. These includes detailed responses on: - Public receptions, wedding and funerals, - Interstate working travels and Sinapore - Schools and replacement classes - Eateries, public transport services - Locals with foreign spouses 5. Impact of Movement Control Order - BMCC Survey The BMCC is compiling feedback on the impact of COVID-19 on your business activities and performance. These cover responses on (1) current/future impact on your business, (2) working from home and (3) any additional comments or suggestions you may have. We will relay the information gathered to relevant Government agencies in efforts to support our business community. Member CSR Initiatives University of Malaya Medical Centre - COVID19 Fund UMMC has received numerous request from the public to contribute to our COVID19 fund. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your generosity and welcome all donations. For cash donations or other forms, find out how you can contribute by URGENT: The Lost Food Project - Request for donation in light of Covid-19 Emergency During Covid-19, our collections of food have been negatively impacted by the control movement order. In order to continue our work as a foodbank and providing to our most critical charities for food, we have launched an emergency appeal to corporates and the general public. - - - Supermax donates 1 million medical gloves to Covid-19 frontliners Supermax Corporation Berhad (Supermax) has committed to donate one million pieces of nitrile powder-free medical gloves. They are to be distributed to Malaysian government hospitals, police stations and the healthcare industry’s first responders, to combat the Covid-19 outbreak in Malaysia. Supermax’s founder Datuk Seri Stanley Thai said the glove manufacturer would like to express its appreciation to all frontliners, particularly healthcare workers and the police, for their relentless efforts and diligence in containing the Covid-19 outbreak. Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Reaches Out To The Community Through Food Aid The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) is standing with the community during these difficult times by feeding and nourishing people in need in Kuala Lumpur, with its recent contribution totalling over 340kgs of surplus food. The recent Government announcement of a Movement Control Order (MCO), as a result of the COVID-19 issue, left the Centre with a large amount of fresh produce and surplus food, which was donated to the Food Aid Foundation to help feed the hungry. Member Updates British Airways to Resume Flights on 26th March from London NOTICE: British Airways will resume operations on 26 March 2020 on a daily basis from London Heathrow Airport to Kuala Lumpur International Airport till 31 March 2020. Beginning April 2020, British Airways will fly 4 times a week. Whilst British Airways remains vigilant of ongoing global concerns and travel cautions, we are providing the continuation of our flights for Malaysians abroad who are desperate to return home, and likewise for stranded foreigners here. Bridging families and businesses between Malaysia and UK remains at the core of our services, just as we have been entrusted since 1974. For more information, visit Sunway Medical Centre: Serving Our Patients As Usual We would like to reassure everyone that our doors remain open during this 14-day movement control period. This means we will continue to administer medical services to those in need. Stringent precautionary measures will be carried out during this period as part of our efforts to continue keeping Sunway Medical Centre COVID-19 free. For more information on COVID-19 and the preventive initiatives that Sunway Medical Centre is taking, please visit 12 Ways to stay PRODUCTIVE while working from home International SOS has created this helpful infographic for employers and employees alike to work from home during this Movement Control Order period. Learn productivity tips and best practices for managing virtual teams and making the most of working from home with 12 key ways to staying productive. If you've missed International SOS' latest Webinar today on "What's Next for Organisations?" you can ICAEW: Coping with Coronavirus Service disruptions can be very damaging, both to consumers and businesses. As a new coronavirus spreads rapidly across the world, Alison Coleman explains that it is imperative for organisations to have robust and rigorous continuity plans in place in order to mitigate disaster. After being declared a global health pandemic, a new strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to reach new milestones, having now claimed more lives than the 2003 SARS and 2012 MERS epidemics combined. QS: What Students Expect from Universities During the Coronavirus Outbreak QS Quacquarelli Symonds has assembled the following resources and updates to aid higher education professionals during this coronavirus outbreak. We will continue to identify best practices across the sector and provide insights to facilitate discussions and benefit the industry In the most recent publication, we will examine prospective and current students’ expectation towards their University and what should a University do to meet their expectations and alleviate their concerns. Higher Education Professionals can contribute to QS’s analysis of COVID-19’s impact on the higher education sector . In The News -New Straits Times -New Straits Times -The Star  -Malay Mail British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce Berhad 201801018075 (1280091-P) E04C0, 4th Floor East Block, Wisma Golden Eagle Realty, 142-B Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur T: +603 2163 1784 / 1786 | E: | W: Copyright © BMCC 2020