FMM also hoped manufacturing industries with contractual export orders would be allowed to operate at 50% capacity, even if they are not in the essential economic sectors.

The group also suggested that plant maintenance be allowed, as those with furnaces and kilns need to operate continuously, and thus should be allowed to operate with 20% workforce capacity.

On the government’s plans for an assistance package for the people and economic sectors, FMM said there should be a Special Relief Fund for companies, especially the small and medium-sized enterprises.

In addition to a three-month automatic moratorium from June 1, it also hopes that the government can reinstate the wage subsidy programme and suspend or extend the payment date for all statutory contributions.

FMM called for a waiver on Tenaga Nasional’s maximum demand charge for May and for the electricity rebate to be continued over the next six months from July to December.