KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): The Cement & Concrete Association of Malaysia (C&CA) has lauded the government’s decision to allow cement plants to resume operations, saying the industry has been suffering massive losses for the last two years with the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbating the situation.

C&CA chairman Datuk Yeoh Soo Keng said in a statement that the association is appreciative of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry’s (MITI) prompt action on the matter.

The ministry, she noted, had worked around the clock to process thousands of applications to operate during the movement control order (MCO) period, while also engaging with businesses and associations for feedback and ideas to get the economy moving during these challenging times.

Yeoh said the cement industry provides more than 100,000 jobs and service contracts to thousands of contractors and suppliers, many of which are small and medium enterprises.

The approval to resume operations during Phase 3 of the MCO, she said, will have a multiplier effect and bring great relief to businesses and their employees, potentially saving hundreds of thousands of jobs.

However, for effectiveness in resuming operations, C&CA urged the government to allow construction projects that meet the necessary requirements and guidelines to restart simultaneously, and asked for related sectors to be approved and allowed to slowly and gradually resume operations.

“C&CA acknowledges the government for its quick action, putting in place strict measures to cut the chain of Covid-19 infections.

“The industry has been and will continue to be fully compliant with health and safety and standard operating procedures requirements. The cement industry will carry on supporting efforts to help the country and the rakyat to get through these unprecedented challenging times,” said Yeoh.

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