Business group calls for new law on disaster management

Business group calls for new law on disaster management

The manufacturers federation says a new law should be enacted to deal with disasters of all kinds, such as floods, and not just Covid-19.

FMM says the new law should cover all disasters and the current law was too restricted. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA:
A business group has called for a new law on disaster management which would provide for measures to deal with all kinds of disasters, such as floods, and not only about Covid-19.

The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) said the current law was too restricted.

FMM president Soh Thian Lai said the current law providing temporary measures on Covid-19 should be expanded to provide relief for manufacturing and other manufacturing-related services such as trading or distributorship and logistics given the contraction in manufacturing activities.

Soh said the contraction in manufacturing activities was a result of the pandemic and the recent reimposition of movement restrictions.

“The Act is currently limited to nine categories. It is very specific in providing temporary relief for contractual obligations faced during this pandemic period. We are proposing for a Disaster Management Act to be enacted, which will account for other disasters including devastating floods or possible future outbreaks and not specific to Covid-19 only,” he said.

He said FMM hoped that an extension of wage subsidies would run for a three-month period, and for a relaxation of conditions to qualify for the employment insurance for those who suffer loss of employment.

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