With the Movement Control Order (MCO) in effect for 2 weeks, most industries are required to suspend their operations and activities unless they are designated as essential services or industries. Where the auto industry is concerned, this means not just closing the head office and branches but also showrooms, service centres and assembly plants. No new vehicles will be produced and deliveries will not be carried out. This situation will last till March 31, 2020.
Nevertheless, many car companies are maintaining support for their customers who may have problems with their vehicles. At this time, the MCO does not stop travel on public roads so the vehicles may still be used for essential journeys, ie to replenish supplies or buy medicine. You can also go to restaurants that are allowed to operate but you must take the food home, not dine on their premises which would be an offence.
If you are travelling on PLUS expressways and have a breakdown, there are telephones every 2 kms to call for help.
Should you have problems with your vehicle at such times, it will still be possible to get assistance. Towing services are allowed to operate and virtually all car companies and insurance companies offer such assistance if you contact their Call Centre, most of which operate 24 hours every day. The following companies have informed us of the numbers that their customers can call if help is needed:
Daihatsu: 1-300-88-3667
Ford: 1-300-38-3181
Perodua: 1-800-88-5555
Proton: 1-800-888-398
Lexus: 1-800-88-LEXUS (53987)
Mazda: 1-800-22-8080 or 1-800-18-8011
Mercedes-Benz: 1-800-88-1133
PLUS: 1-800-88-0000 (emergency telephones also available every 2 kms on PLUS expressways)
The latest information provided by the National Security Council concerning the MCO is that, besides towing services, mechanics are permitted to operate during the 2-week period and workshops may also carry out vehicle repairs (but probably not normal servicing).
For decades, Malaysians have known only petroleum brands such as Shell, Esso, Mobil, Caltex, Mobil and BP. In more recent times, BHPetrol came on the scene, acquiring the previous BP station network while Petron took over the network of Esso and Mobil stations.
The petroleum industry is closely regulated by the government, so the entry of new players is not a frequent thing although there is also a brand known as Buraqoil in Langkawi. Recently, a new fuel company player started operations with its first station opened in Kalumpang, Selangor.
The new brand is known as FIVE and is distributed by Five Petroleum Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. Which is described as a ‘unified energy company’. FIVE brand is introducing its own fuel called Ultimaxx which is supplied by Petronas.
According to Dato’ Haji Juhari Bin Abdul Ghani, Chairman of Five Petroleum Malaysia, the company aims to meet Malaysia’s growing demand for fuel in ways that are economically, environmentally, and socially responsible. “We also want to help Malaysia reach its next milestone in development,” he added.
FIVE received a licence for the business from the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry early this year and managing the retail side is the Seng Group, which began as a Mobil station operator in Mentakab, Pahang almost 50 years ago. The experienced company aims to create new enterprise opportunities for all Malaysians by lowering the entry requirements for would-be petrol station operators. This means stations can be opened in more remote areas, bringing much-needed fuel supply to more locations around the country.
FIVE fuel stations will incorporate next-generation technology and innovation that offers hassle-free transactions in a small scale (which also benefits those who wish to open and run their own petrol stations in the future). This includes cashless payment facilities, a consumer loyalty program, and a convenience store known as Woo! Mart.
The Movement Control Order (MCO) has come into effect today, a strong nationwide action that is necessary to slow down the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus which has become a pandemic situation. Understandably, there has been some confusion and uncertainty about certain aspects of the MCO since this is the first time ever such an Order has been used.
We are fortunate that it is not as restrictive as Lockdown orders which have been used in China, Italy, France and some other countries which are facing rapid increase in COVID-19 infections. A Lockdown totally restricts movement and special permission is needed to even go to the supermarket to buy supplies.
As we’re a motoring website, we’ll cover what is relevant to motorists and the main thing is that you are not supposed to be travelling ‘socially’. This means that you should remain home unless you need to go out for a reason like buying supplies or medicines, or to pick up someone from the airport. There is no curfew (and hopefully won’t be) so movement on public roads is not forbidden.
No crossing state lines, except Selangor and KL
With most offices and shopping centres closed, there is much less traffic on the roads but unfortunately, this is not the time you can enjoy it. Furthermore, the police have clarified that interstate travel is forbidden, with the exception of the Klang Valley which has Selangor and WP Kuala Lumpur.
There was confusion yesterday after the IGP said that applications must be made at police stations for a permit to travel to another state. Long queues quickly started at police stations (so much for trying to achieve social distancing) until the police withdrew the requirement just hours before the midnight deadline when the MCO would come into effect.
Travelling between states is not permitted unless there is an exemption given by the police. Furthermore, the MCO also stops Malaysians from leaving the country, leading to an unusual scene at the Causeway to Singapore where there are no jams at all (right).
Following a meeting, another announcement came out about half an hour after midnight which again stated that there is a ban on interstate travel during the two weeks of the MCO (March 18 – 31, 2020). This time, the IGP said that permits would not be issued freely upon application; only in special cases will an exemption be given. The accepted reasons are:
To visit a close relative who is critically ill
Death of a close family member
Medical purposes/treatment
The police would also consider other reasons on a case-to-case basis but the IGP made it clear that invalid reasons would not get the permission to travel to another state.
New regulations gazetted to strengthen powers of MCO
To strengthen the legal position of the MCO, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) has gazetted the regulations and actions which the MCO covers. The gazetted regulations which are new are known as the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the infected local areas) Regulations 2020. The gazette also identifies all states and federal territories in Malaysia as ‘infected areas’ and travel between infected areas is not allowed except with permission. Committing offences will result in jail terms or fines.
This sounds like a lockdown since whatever state you live in, you are in an infected area. Therefore, as per the MCO, Malaysians are not to move about. However, there is still some flexibility – hopefully not abused – where travel is permitted for official duties, special purposes and essential activities such as buying food or seeking healthcare. It is also permissible to make a journey to and from certain places where food is available for take-away or drive-through outlets.
The MCO is meant to restrict movement to stop or slow down the spread of the disease. However, there is some flexibility provided for travel to buy food or essential items but you should not just drive around for no reason.
Aiming to slow down spread of virus
Once you have completed your ‘mission, you should return home immediately. Other than that, you have to remain in your house and not go out to ‘makan angin’. The aim of the MCO is to prevent the further spread of the disease through human-to-human contact. Social distancing is therefore being strongly promoted, meaning that you should stand at least one metre away from another person.
The latest statement from the National Security Council issued this afternoon allows workshops to carry out vehicle repairs. According to the NSC’s statement, mechanics can also continue to operate at a minimal level, along with towing services.
We appeal to you to adhere to the MCO conditions so that the situation can, hopefully, not worsen. If after two weeks, the MCO does not seem to have done much to slow down the number of infected persons, then the government may be forced to introduce stricter measures which will be more unpleasant for all of us. Let’s do our best not to reach that stage.
UPDATE AT 11:20 PM/March 17: The police have withdrawn the restriction on interstate travel temporarily pending a meeting tomorrow.
At times like these, it’s understandable that there will be people who want to return to their hometowns and be with loved ones. Unfortunately, from tomorrow (Wednesday March 18), you can’t just drive to another state as you always have because the Movement Control Order (MCO) comes into effect. While it doesn’t stop all vehicles from travelling along the highways, it does forbid crossing state borders and the police will be enforcing this restriction until March 31, 2020.
The IGP today made it clear that all cross-border travel will require permission from the police, and there should be a valid reason for wanting to do so. The public can go to police stations and fill out a form to apply for an exemption letter to allow them to go to another state. They must show documents to support their application.
However, the FAQ issued by the National Security Council states that travel to the airport is permitted (for a purpose, of course, and not just to go and look at the planes). The answer provided to the question ‘Can I drive to the airport to pick up someone who has returned from overseas, or that person is working in a sector which provides essential services?’ is ‘Travelto a place for a short while is allowed under the order’.
The FAQ also mentions that it is possible to go out to replenish supplies. Question: If my important supplies run out, can I leave home to buy things and return? The answer is Yes.
Interstate travel will require police permission between March 18 and 31, 2020.
Malaysians are also not permitted to leave the country during the period so the Causeway and Second Link between Malaysia and Singapore will be closed, and presumably the same restriction would apply at the northern borders of Peninsular Malaysia and the borders in East Malaysia between Brunei and Indonesia.
The MCO may not be a curfew and is not a ‘lockdown’, both of which mean absolutely no movement outside homes. However, it is just as serious and those who do not follow it are committing offences. The first offence carries a sentence of 2 years in jail and a fine or both, while a second offence can put you in jail for up to 5 years. Continued breaking of the law will incur a fine of RM200 per day.
The MCO was activated as a measure to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. 120 new cases were added today, bringing the total number to 673 this evening. The first two deaths were also reported; both were males, one aged 34 and the other was 60 years old.
“The government is taking took this drastic action [of using the MCO] to control the outbreak by limiting the movement of the masses. It needs to take this approach to avoid more Malaysians getting infected with COVID-19 which has now entered its second phase,” Health Minister Dr. Adham Baba said at a press conference today.
As with virtually all non-essential businesses, Perodua will be suspending all its operations nationwide following the Movement Control Order imposed recently by the government. These include operations at the head office, manufacturing facilities, sales and service centres from March 18 – 31, 2020, or subject to any new announcement by the government from time to time.
Deliveries of new vehicles will also be suspended from March 18 – 31, 2020.
“Due to this, new vehicle deliveries, servicing and Body & Paint services are expected to resume only after the Movement Control Order is lifted. Our related outlet personnel may contact customers during this period to provide explanation and clarification. We ask for your patience and understanding during this time,” said Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad, Perodua’s President & CEO.
“If you experience any issues with your vehicle during this time, you may call Perodua Auto Assist toll-free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-88-5555,” he added.
In accordance with the Movement Control Order by the government which will take effect from Wednesday March 18 and continue till March 31, 2020, Honda Malaysia will suspend its business operations during the period.
The business operations involved cover Honda Malaysia’s plant in Pegoh (Melaka), its sales office and also dealerships nationwide. This would mean that all authorised service centres would also remain closed during the period.
All Honda dealerships, including the service centres, will be closed from March 18 – 31, 2020.
The company says that it will resume business operations, tentatively, on April 1, 2020. “Honda Malaysia will continue to monitor the situation closely and update accordingly. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused during this time,” a statement issued this afternoon said.
Meanwhile, it should be noted by motorists who travel on public roads that petrol stations are permitted to remain open so you can still purchase fuel if needed. However, as urged by health authorities, you should practice social distancing when you are at a petrol station. This means being at least one metre apart from another person, especially if you have to go into the convenience store.
