Special Issue #7 (1 Apr 2020)
Dear Subscriber, |
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Entering the second phase of the Movement Control Order, we hope you are keeping in good health, united as a nation to weather through this pandemic. The BMCC remains committed to keeping our members updated on the latest on COVID-19 developments, including Government initiatives and the sharing of best practices from our members.
In today's alert, we're calling on your urgent support to the Ministry of Health and The Lost Food Project. Also, to respond to our members needs better, we would like to know how COVID-19 has impacted your business. Please take our Impact Assessment Survey below if you have yet to do so.
In addition, this alert includes updates on:
- Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 - New Ruling on Movement of People Effective 1 April
- HRDF – Levy Exemption for Employers (Circular & FAQ)
- PERKESO – FAQ on Wage Subsidy Programme
- Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs - Approval to Continue Business Operations During Extended MCO
- Ministry of Finance - Duty Exemptions for Hand Sanitiser Manufacturers, Guidelines for Tax Deduction Applications
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BMCC INVITES YOU TO SUPPORT
The Ministry of Health, Malaysia is in urgent need of the following:
A. Cash Donations
Replenishment of essential items such as disposable personal protective equipment (PPE), reagent and others. The items will be distributed to and used by the front liners at all KKM facilities. Additional funds will be used to purchase medical equipment and medical drugs.
All cash contributions to be banked-in to 2-66016-0002347-5 (RHB Bank) under the name Sumbangan Perubatan KKM.
B. Volunteers
i. Deployment to KLIA and District Health Offices to assist for Health Ministry’s screenings and sampling of potential patients. Register here
ii. Deployment to KKM Hospitals to assist with Non Covid-19 and Covid-19 cases. Register here
Requirements for Application • Must be a registered healthcare practitioner or has current attachment with a recognised medical institution. • Healthy and has no history of serious illnesses. • Agree for relocation. • No history of traveling to affected countries/places or been in contact with those positive Covid-19 cases within 14 days prior to reporting for duty. • Must seek approval from current employer, for both private and public practice.
C. Medical Equipment
D. IT Equipment for Crisis Preparedness & Response Centre (CPRC)
CPRC is in urgent in need of computers, wireless printers and related IT items for data entry, data management, information gathering, report writing and teleconferencing. The equipment will be used at the CPRC Medical, Medical Development Division, Ministry of Health, Level 7, Block E1, Presint 1, Putrajaya.
• Contact 03-88831400 or Dr Fadzil at 0102577957, for enquires related to D only |
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THE LOST FOOD PROJECT The Lost Food Project is a non-profit organisation that focuses on providing the needy with quality surplus food. They have 55 charities that are registered to receive weekly provisions from TLFP. This caters for approximately 6,668 beneficiaries.
A. Cash Donations If you would like to make money contribution, you can donate to TLFP by scanning the QR codes here, or via bank transfer:
• Bank: Maybank • Acc No: 5148 9706 8927 • Acc Name: The Lost Food Project
B. Dry Essential Goods
Alternatively, you can get involve with their Covid-19 Food Drive by donating dry essential goods. Click here for a list of items TLFP is looking for and here for Drop-Off details.
For further enquiries regarding the contribution, you could contact General Manager of TLFP, Syazwan at 017-6704232. |
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The BMCC is compiling feedback on the impact of COVID-19 on your business activities and performance. These cover responses on (1) impact on business operations, (2) action & support and (3) any additional feedback or suggestions you may have. We will hope to share the findings of the survey with relevant stakeholders including government agencies for the benefit of our business community. We encourage both large organisations and SMEs to participate. |
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| 1. Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 - New Ruling on Movement of People Effective 1 April |
| Under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, there is a new ruling that a person's movement to purchase necessities shall be limited to not more than 10 kilometres from his / her residence, or to a place nearest to his/her residence, and shall not be accompanied by any other person, unless it is reasonably necessary.
Any person who contravenes any provision of these Regulations or any direction of the Director General or an authorized officer commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both.
For the services sector, please take note that the list of Essential Services has been reduced from 22 to 10 (Pg 9 of Gazette)
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| 2. HRDF – Levy Exemption for Employers (Circular & FAQ) |
| The Human Resources Minister has announced that employers categorised within all 63 sub0sectors affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic be exempted from paying the human resources development levy for a period of (6) six months effective from April 2020 to September 2020. This circular further covers:
• Qualified Employers and Sectors • Exemption Period • Levy Arrear Repayment • Training Grant Application
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| 3. PERKESO – FAQ on Wage Subsidy Programme |
| The aim of the Wage Subsidy Programme is to avoid employees being fired and losing their income. To do so, the government will provide a subsidy of RM600 per month per employee for the next three months.
Unlike a few other financial schemes under the PRIHATIN, it is not automatic and employers would need to register to be eligible for it. Employers can sign up at PERKESO’s website starting from 1 April 2020. This FAQ covers:
• Objective and effective duration • Eligibility • Application procedure and required documents • Scenarios, rights and foreign employees
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| 4. Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs - Approval to Continue Business Operations During Extended MCO |
| The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs said today its permits for food and healthcare companies to operate during Malaysia's Movement Control Order (MCO) has been extended to April 14 after the government decided to continue implementing the MCO to curb the Covid-19 pandemic.
Today, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs said in a statement that the permit extension is also given to these companies to put their machinery and equipment on standby.
The ministry however said business operating hours during the MCO is subject to other instructions from the National Security Council, state governments and local authorities.
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| 5. Ministry of Finance - Duty Exemptions for Hand Sanitiser Manufacturers, Guidelines for Tax Deduction Applications |
| A. The Ministry of Finance has announced an exemption for import duty and sales tax for manufacturers of hand sanitisers.
B. Community projects and CSRs for affected communities by COVID-19 are able to apply for Income Tax Deductions with the Ministry of Finance.
MOF has also provided guidelines for the application of import duty exemptions and sales tax on Machineries used in shipping ports.
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*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. |
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COVID-19 Webinar: Adapting to the New Norm (Tomorrow, 2 Apr 11.30AM)
While no one knows how long the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak will continue to spread, governments around the world are advising that we should expect a timeline of at least six months regarding movement restrictions – both locally and internationally to varying degrees.
With lockdowns and home offices becoming the new norm, the next big question is how can people and organisations adapt? How can we continue to operate behind closed doors, communicate with employees, promote mental health, and be prepared for a second wave when we start to re-open borders? These are just some of the questions the experts at International SOS will discuss in their upcoming webinar.
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EY: The Resilient Enterprise - COVID-19 Preparedness
EY's The resilient enterprise: COVID-19 preparedness publication has been released to help organisations navigate across key priority areas - people safety, business continuity, liquidity management and stakeholder management – in order to stay resilient during this challenging period.
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CIMA Exams to Move to Remote Testing from May 2020 in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) has announced that from May 2020, CIMA students will be able to take their exams remotely for the first time. This comes as the coronavirus pandemic has forced many test centres to close, preventing the delivery of CIMA Objective Tests and Case Study exams to students around the world. This move will enable students to continue to progress with their journeys to become Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation holders and increase the pool of management accountants able to support businesses and public services.
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Logistics Sector: Silver Lining Behind The Global Pandemic
Sarkunan Subramaniam, Managing Director, Knight Frank Malaysia applauds the rakyat-centric package which puts cash in the pockets of the deserving but feels more initiatives should be directed to sustain the economy and businesses. In addition to the automatic 6-month moratorium on all bank loans, it may be timely to waive property taxes such as quit rents and assessment for the second half of 2020. In the property market segment, which is already facing its own challenges in terms of supply-demand imbalance, mounting pressure will continue.
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Coronavirus and the World Economy: An Insolvency and Restructuring Perspective
Apart from human loss, the coronavirus has another victim: the World Economy. The virus has, as to date, extirpated billions from the world economy and seems to be the final nail in coffin of industries that are already being hit hard from plunging oil prices and looming global recession. Governments around the world are scrambling for formula, strategies, stimulus packages and bailout plans - often one after the previous – to try to keep their economy afloat in this troubling period.
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Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur Hotel: Stay Home and Let Us Bring The Flavours To You In light of the recent Movement Control Order (MCO) implemented by the Malaysian government from 18 March to 14 April, 2020 Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur outlets will remain closed during this period. However, our restaurant and kitchen professionals remain dedicated to providing you with an impeccable Shangri-La dining experience that is delivered straight to your door. Browse from a great selection of all our tasty & gastronomical delights from Lemon Garden, Zipangu and Shang Palace and enjoy from the comfort of your own home.
To place your orders, call +60 3 2074 3900 or WhatsApp +60 19 390 2257. |
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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 Copyright © BMCC 2020 |
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