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SOP

COVID-19 isn’t going to disappear from our lives so quickly. Like many other diseases, it may have diminished presence but it will still be around and still infect people. In fact, few known diseases have been completely eradicated, smallpox being one of them in 1980. Thanks to medical advances and vaccines, we are better protected against diseases, even if we may not be totally immune to them.

Medical experts now suggest that we prepare to ‘live with COVID-19’ and that means continuing with most of the precautions that we have been practicing over the past year. You should know them by now – temperature scanning, social distancing, frequent washing of hands, and using facemasks in crowded areas.

In the business world, companies will also have to adjust to the New Normal and Honda Malaysia is taking a proactive step with a campaign to provide customers and associates with added confidence and safety assurance at its authorized nationwide. The campaign, known as ‘I’m Vaccinated’ ensures that only those who have completed their vaccination doses will be allowed to be on duty at the dealerships.

The company and its dealers are committed to ensuring that all the associates are getting their vaccination in a timely manner. To date, 80% of dealer associates in the country have been fully vaccinated and by October 2021, all of them should be vaccinated.

“We are thankful that our car production has resumed operations and Honda dealerships can carry out sales and aftersales services to serve our customers. Under the “I’m Vaccinated” campaign which kicks off this month at all our dealerships nationwide, our dealer associates who are fully vaccinated and have passed 14 days from the date of their second dose will be provided with a badge and facemask that have a specially-designed ‘I Am Fully Vaccinated’ logo for easy identification,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Madoka Chujo

“We will not take the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) lightly and will continue to strictly follow all the necessary preventive and precautionary measures that we have been practicing since the emergence of COVID-19 in Malaysia,” she assured.

Dealership premises will be sanitised and disinfected on a routine and frequent basis.

“We believe this initiative can help to boost customer confidence during interactions with Honda dealer associates by showing that we are ready to meet and serve the customers in a safe environment as well as providing them peace of mind while being present at the dealerships. We also hope to encourage more people to get vaccinated, in addition to adhering to the SOPs at all times. Through this effort, it will not only protect themselves, but also to help the country to achieve its herd immunity as soon as possible,” Ms. Chujo added.

In addition to safeguarding the safety of the customers and Honda dealer associates, the company will continue to ensure that the sanitisation and disinfection of all premises are undertaken on a routine and frequent basis at all its dealerships.

In connection with the resumption of sales activities, Honda Malaysia has initiated the ‘Government Staff Program’, an exclusive programme for government employees (including those in government-linked companies) and their spouses. The program, which is on until October 31, 2021, offers special discounts worth up to RM1,000 on top of the monthly promotion for the 7-Seater BR-V model.

Government employees and those in GLCs can purchase a new BR-V with a special discount.

For all customers, there is also a ‘September Special Benefits’ promotion throughout this month in conjunction with the Malaysia Day celebration. This promotion offers rewards worth up to RM6,000 and, of course, there is still the exemption of sales tax until the end of the year as well.

To know more about Honda products and services or to locate an authorized Honda dealer in Malaysia, visit www.honda.com.my.

New Honda models to be launched in Malaysia before year-end

StayAtHome

Vaccination does not make you immune to COVID-19 infection. You can still get infected but may not show symptoms and can spread the coronavirus to others. Do not stop taking protective measures such as wearing a facemask, washing hands frequently and social distancing.

To know more, visit www.bhpetrol.com.my.

Although inter-state and inter-district travel has been stopped with the new Movement Control Order (MCO) in selected states (from  January 13 until January 26 2021), PLUS Malaysia Berhad is maintaining its services and facilities as before, while adhering to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

“The PLUS highways are critical linkages of the nation and PLUS is highly cognizant of its preparedness to serve and provide the highest level of safety to all who urgently have to use our highways either to transport essential goods or for business during these times,” said the Managing Director of PLUS, Datuk Azman Ismail.

According to Datuk Azman, PLUS is also assisting the police in setting up roadblocks at major toll plazas in MCO affected states as inter-district travel is currently restricted to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Facilities open but no dine-in
During the first MCO last March, facilities at the Rest & Service (R&R) areas were shut down, except for petrol stations, but this time round, they will remain open. Those which are located under MCO states (Penang, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Melaka and Johor) will be open from 6 am to 8 pm daily but sitting down for meals is not permitted. Customers will have to take their food away and consume them in the car or elsewhere. It is advisable to use the pre-order function in the PLUS App, which enables ordering of meals from selected R&Rs for takeaways.

The operating hours for R&Rs and lay-bys in CMCO states (Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah and Terengganu) will be from 6 am to 12 midnight and dine-in is allowed. However, strict physical distancing and other SOPs must be observed.

Suraus at all PLUS R&Rs, lay-bys and toll plaza lay-bys will be open. However, the surau operation is subject to further direction by the Islamic Religion Department under the respective states or districts.

Have enough balance for toll
“We urge highway users who have to travel on urgent matters to plan their journey properly and ensure that their Touch ‘n Go card and e-Wallets are sufficiently reloaded to minimize disruptions and need for physical interactions at the toll plazas,” said Datuk Azman. Those who have insufficient card balance at the toll lane are advised to press the intercom button for assistance.

Under the new normal practised by many organisations that manages premises which are open to public, customers are denied entry or transactions if face masks are not worn. As such, PLUS asks the same of its customers to wear a face mask and comply with the SOPs when interacting with its frontliners who serve them.

“This will ensure the safety of both our customers and our frontliners in line with the #KitaJagaKita objective,” he said.

PLUSRonda
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If there is a breakdown along the highway, PLUSRonda patrol units will come and help at any time of the day or night. To contact PLUS, call 1800-88-0000.

PLUS customers now have PUTRI to help them with their enquiries

At today’s daily MKN press briefing, Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob confirmed that there is NO NEED to scan the MySejahtera app or register when refuelling if motorists do not visit the station’s shop to make payment for fuel. Presumably, the same applies for putting air in tyres. Therefore if they make contactless payments at the pump , they are not committing an offence.

However, if they go to the shop to make payment, use the ATM or buy things, then they have to follow SOP and have their temperature checked and their details recorded of the visit either manually in a log book or via the MySejahtera app using the QR code. The same applies to going to the toilet or surau at the station which would usually be part of the building premises.

BHPetrol RON95 Euro4M

Misleading statements
With his statement, it puts an end to the confusion created after a motorist was reported to have been given a summons for not registering while he was pumping petrol. The confusion was further compounded when a senior officer at Bukit Aman insisted that it is required when pumping petrol even if the motorist does not go to the store.

Attempts to seek clarification in the past 24 hours by members of the media saw conflicting answers being given, with the Petroleum Dealers Association saying it was not needed.

If you do not go into the shop or use the toilet or surau, then you are not committing an offence if you do not register your visit.

Some precautions to take
It is a good idea to have your visit registered if you go to a crowded area so that you will be informed if there has been a case. However, at a petrol pump with no one around (but you should wear a facemask anyway), the risk is low of being infected. It is possible that you could pick up germs from the pump nozzle although the stations are supposed to sanitize them frequently. Therefore, you can take precautions of either using paper to hold the pump or ensuring that you throughly clean with hand sanitizer after finishing refuelling. Do not use plastic gloves as these can cause static electricity which is very dangerous and might result in an explosion due to the presence of volatile fumes.

BHPetrol Euro5 Diesel

UPDATE: According to a report by Free Malaysia Today which contacted the Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC), there is no need to register with MySejahtera during ‘brief encounters’ such as pumping fuel, unless the motorist enters the store to make payment.

 

If you’re refuelling your vehicle today, it’s advisable to walk over to the station store to scan the MySejahtera QR code with your mobilephone (or register as per SOP). This could save you RM1,000 in case a policeman comes by and checks and you cannot show that you have registered.

Sounds ridiculous? Motorists around the country think so, especially when this ‘new’ SOP has been announced out of the blue when it was never ever said to be required in the 237 days that the country has been under a Movement Control Order of one level or another.

Never mentioned before
It is not something that the Ministry of Health or the National Security Council (MKN) has mentioned either. In fact, it only came to light in a report in The Maiay Mail, quoting a report in The China Press. The report said that the requirement was confirmed by Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department deputy director, DCP Datuk Mior Faridalathrash Wahid.

The reason for the requirement which he gave? So that if there were cases of COVID-19 in the area [around the petrol station], the police could carry out contact tracing with the data collected by the app. He explained that if people did not register when they were pumping fuel, the police would be unable to trace them when required. In that case, we may also have to register just going to a postbox to mail a letter (not that many people do that nowadays).

There has already been at least once case, based on the China Press report, where a person was apparently given a summons for not registering while he pumped fuel, and the standard fine is RM1,000.

MKN people not clear either
At this time, it seems there is no clarity in the matter. A reporter at Sin Chew Daily contacted the MKN and got conflicting answers, so it seems that this SOP needs to be clarified quickly as thousands of motorists and motorcyclists refuel daily. Furthermore, the Bukit Aman officer said face masks must be work even when pumping fuel although earlier, another police officer said it is not necessary as the fuel pump is not a crowded area. DCP Datuk Mior, however, classifies it as a public area and therefore a face mask is required – even though the next person may be 10 metres away.

MySejahtera app can be downloaded at the Google and Apple app stores.

If the MKN confirms the police interpretation, then station operators may put the QR codes on the pumps for the convenience of customers. After all, why make them walk all the way to the store – and risk coming in contact with others along the way – just to scan for registration?

Abide by one law, break another
But then comes a second problem: in order to abide by the law on registering, you must break another law! That law concerns use of mobilephones at the pumps, which is forbidden for safety reasons. So you may save yourself RM1,000 but then get nailed for being caught using the phone!

Most Malaysians are well aware of the need to stop the spread of the coronavirus and observe the SOPs which are generally reasonable. However, this one about registering when pumping fuel is illogical and unnecessary and hopefully, we’ll hear from Minister Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob at the daily MKN briefing today that it is a ‘misunderstanding’ (which would save face those who make their own interpretations).

With a Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) now in force in Klang, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor and Sabah, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia informs the public of the following measures with Mercedes-Benz Star Shield from October 14 to  October 27, 2020.

The Star Shield Programme
The Mercedes-Benz Star Shield programme is a safety protocol for Mercedes-Benz dealers and customers. It consists of a comprehensive safety plan that includes social distancing, provision of masks and hand sanitizers, cleaning and sanitization of showroom cars and common areas, temperature checks and limit on customers present.

During this CMCO period, all authorized Mercedes-Benz dealerships nationwide will remain open for business as usual. They will, however, strictly adhere to the guidelines set by the government for the protection of customers as well as their own employees.

Customers can still request for test-drives, while owners can bring their vehicles in for routine service and maintenance and/or repairs at service centres. The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that have been observed for some months continue to apply.

24-hour support service
Customers can still obtain 24-Hour Roadside Assistance for emergency breakdowns and technical issues. They can call 1-800-88-1133 at any time of the day for support.

In order to minimize social contact, the Mercedes-Benz Star Shield also includes initiatives such as the Drop & Go, Door-to-door and Express Service.

Click here for other news and articles about Mercedes-Benz.

With 1.5 million vehicles using PLUS highways each day, interaction between motorists and PLUS personnel is inevitable. As such, the highway concessionaire is reminding highway users that they must strictly follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) set by the National Security Council (MKN) and the Ministry of Health (KKM). These procedures include wearing of facemasks in public areas and social distancing in areas where there are a lot of people.

This reminder comes in light of the increase of COVID-19 cases in certain states where PLUS highway network operates. Its is especially critical at this time to adhere to the SOPs to prevent further spread of the coronavirus by protecting each other.

Kita Jaga Kita
“We urge our highway customers to please follow the established SOPs set by the government. In the spirit of ‘Kita Jaga Kita’, the onus is on us to take good care of each other every step of the way. Every single PLUS employee, from our CSA, PLUSRonda Officer to Toll supervisors are fully compliant to the SOP’s of facemasking in public and maintaining a safe 1-meter physical distance when interacting with you our customer, we ask the same of you. Please reciprocate by doing the same when we serve you on the highway,” implored Datuk Azman Ismail, Managing Director of PLUS.

Under the New Normal practices by many organisations that manage premises which are open to public, customers are denied entry/transactions if face masks are not worn. PLUS is also adopting the same. There must also be 1-metre physical distancing when at the R&R areas, lay-bys as well as interacting with PLUS personnel at the toll lanes and toll plazas.

Remember to wear a facemask and stand 1-metre apart when visiting R&R areas along the highways.

SOPs strictly observed at R&R areas
All PLUSRonda personnel are required to wear face masks and practice 1-metre physical distancing when attending to highway emergencies. From compulsory body temperature checks at each R&R and contact tracing via MySejahtera, PLUS prioritises food hygiene as well as the cleanliness at all the R&R premises as well as lay-bys and toll plazas via regular routine cleaning and periodical sanitisation.

PLUS customers now have PUTRI to help them with their enquiries

Tweckbot – the long-running complimentary vehicle inspection service by Perodua – has resumed operations. A team will be station at Tesco Extra Bukit Tinggi Klang in Selangor this weekend (September 12 and 13) from 9 am to 5 pm daily.

The free service will also be available at two other locations in Selangor – Tesco Puncak Alam (September 19/20) and Tesco Extra Ampang (September 26/27), also from 9 am to 5 pm.

Perodua Tweckbot 2020

“As Malaysia Day nears, we foresee many Malaysians taking vacations or returning to their hometowns. For their safety and peace of mind, it is crucial that their Perodua vehicles are in good working order,” said Perodua’s President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

Tweckbot personnel will inspect over 50 points on a Perodua vehicle. These include the engine, transmission, cooling system, brakes, power steering, clutch, tyres, suspension and electrical system.

Perodua Tweckbot 2020

New Normal operating procedures
In view of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to prevent its spread, comprehensive health and safety measures have been adopted for the protection of its valued customers and staff. Dato’ Zainal emphasised that these safety measures will be the new normal operating procedures for Tweckbot moving forward.

All Tweckbot customers will be required to undergo temperature checks and will need to comply with contact tracing protocols as mandated by the government. Tweckbot stations will have a more spaced-out layout with demarcated areas for waiting, consultation and vehicle inspection to minimise movement, and the entire station will be evacuated and sanitised twice a day.

Perodua Tweckbot 2020

“Our technicians will wear face shields at all times and every vehicle will be thoroughly sanitised before and after inspection. Physical distancing and the wearing of face masks apply at all times,” Dato’ Zainal said.

He added that for the protection of the public, the number of vehicles inspected has to be limited to slots on a first-come, first-served basis.

20% discount on parts/accessories
Customers who inspect their vehicles with Tweckbot will get a 20% discount voucher, redeemable for the purchase of selected parts and accessories at any authorised Perodua service centre (terms and conditions apply).

Visit www.perodua.com.my for more news and to know more about the model range available.

Perodua expands on public protection initiative

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BHPetrol RON95 Euro4M

Assembly Services Sdn Bhd (ASSB), the wholly-owned subsidiary of UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) involved in the local assembly of Toyota vehicles, was recently visited by the Menteri Besar Selangor, Dato’ Seri Amirudin Bin Shari, who was there to personally view the facility’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Accompanied by the top management of UMWT and ASSB, the Menteri Besar was briefed on the best practices and procedures put in place in accordance with the government’s SOPs. During his tour of the plant, which currently assembles the Toyota Yaris and Vios models, he saw various areas such as the motorcycle parking section, staff locker rooms and canteen where changes have been made to meet social distancing requirements.

ASSB

ASSB

The ‘new normal’
In accordance with the SOPs, body temperature checks are conducted daily, with hand sanitization and utilization of face masks are made part of the ‘new normal’. In the canteen, the seating has been rearranged to provide distancing and the menu now consists of pre-packed food. Besides staggering working times, new procedures aimed at minimizing interaction so as to reduce the risks of coronavirus spread have also been adopted.

ASSB has also adopted measures from Toyota plants in other countries in response to the pandemic. One example shown was the installation of an additional partition at the Door Assembly Process.

While at the plant, Dato’ Seri Amirudin also visited Toyota Boshoku UMW Sdn Bhd, a joint-venture between Toyota Boshoku and UMW Toyota Motor which makes seat sets, door trims, headlinings, package trays for use in many models assembled locally.

Toyota Boshoku UMW

PPE production for frontliners
As it has suitable equipment, Toyota Boshoku UMW set up production lines to produce Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) which is required by medical staff treating COVID-19 patients. More than 10,000 PPE items consisting of Boot Covers, Head Covers and Gowns were provided by UMWT to the Ministry of Health for distribution to hospitals around the country.

A small ceremony was held for ASSB and Toyota Boshoku UMW to hand over PPE kits to the Menteri Besar as a gesture of goodwill to the Selangor state government. The kits consisted of 100 pieces each of gowns, head covers and boot covers.

ASSB
Aerial view of the ASSB complex at the Bukit Raja Industrial Estate near Klang. It is one of two production facilities making Toyota vehicles in Malaysia and began operations at the beginning of 2019.

“We are grateful to the Selangor State Government for its approval and guidance which enabled ASSB to resume operations after a lengthy shutdown due to the Movement Control Order earlier. Our plant has implemented all the necessary requirements of the Standard Operating Procedures and additionally, we have also adopted some best practices developed by Toyota factories in other countries,” said Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor.

“Toyota Motor Corporation is also very serious about providing safe and healthy conditions for all employees. As a member of the global Toyota family, ASSB can therefore draw on healthcare advice and best practices from TMC regarding additional measures that can be taken here in Selangor,” added Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor.

Toyota vehicle assembly in Malaysia resumes, starting with Vios and Yaris models

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All business sectors that have resumed operations after the lifting of restrictions during the Movement Control Order (MCO) are required to follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) specified by the authorities. These include social distancing, temperature checks and other precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Goodyear Autocare Centres throughout Malaysia are following the SOPs to ensure a safe environment for customers and staff, with guidance by Goodyear Malaysia’s Zero Contact Initiative. With this initiative, customers can get new tyres fitted at a Goodyear Autocare centre without any direct person-to-person contact throughout the entire process.

Goodyear Autocare
A Goodyear Autocare Centre

“As we resume our operations nationwide, we also embark into a ‘new normal’ era that calls for more vigilance and mindfulness when handling each and every one of our customer’s needs,” said Alex Ng, MD of Goodyear Malaysia.

“The assurance of Goodyear’s Zero Contact process – from the moment you drop-off your vehicle, and up until you collect it – is that there will be zero direct physical contact between staff and customers to minimise risk of any potential spread. We decided to extend this programme in Malaysia, off the back of the success it had in the United States, Australia and other ASEAN countries. We hope that through this programme, we continue to assure Goodyear’s loyal customers that we have taken all the necessary precautions for their personal safety and at the same time, remain committed to ensuring the safety of their tyres,” Mr. Ng added.

Through the implementation of the Zero Contact initiative, customers will have to first arrange for an appointment with their preferred Goodyear Autocare centre for services, either with a phone call or using WhatsApp.

At the stores, there will be specially-designated Zero Contact parking areas for customers to park their vehicles, as well as a drop box for them to place the keys. The Goodyear Autocare centre staff will then proceed to collect the vehicle and fit new tyres.

12-point Safety Check
Areas that will receive a free safety check

Before returning the vehicle to the owner, a 12-point vehicle safety check will be done, followed by the disinfection of 12 major touchpoints. These are complimentary services provided by Goodyear Malaysia for their customers to ensure that their cars are safe to be driven once again, especially for those who have left their vehicles untouched for a long time due to the Movement Control Order.

When the customer collects his or her vehicle at the Zero Contact parking area, there will be a checklist which has been placed in their vehicle. This confirms the clean-up done by the staff, as well as to notify them of any possible issue that the staff might have found while checking their vehicle, making it easy for them to rectify as quickly as possible.

Goodyear Zero Contact Initiative

Other precautionary measures will also be enforced at all Goodyear Autocare centres. For instance, staff are required to sanitise and disinfect all public areas, facilities, as well as any tools and equipment three times daily. The seats will be marked for alternative seating (to enable distancing), while standing markers will also be placed on the floor to ensure customers are standing 1 metre away from others when in queue. Customers are advised to settle payments using contactless payment options such as e-wallet, online banking or paywave.

“By rolling out this initiative, we hope that we are not only able to continue to provide better services for our customers as we all resume our everyday routines, but also provide an extra hand in helping to check on their vehicles’ conditions after this brief hiatus. Of course, the safety and health of our customers and staff are pertinent during this period, therefore we hope to see the support and cooperation from our customers and Goodyear Autocare partners to practise good hygiene and preventative measures throughout this period,” said Mr. Ng.

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As the leading car company in the country, Perodua has a huge network of sales and aftersales outlets – all of which had to be closed when the Movement Control Order (MCO) was activated on March 18 this year. Now that the situation regarding the COVID-19 virus has eased a bit – though it has not ended – the government is allowing businesses to resume operations.

However, for Perodua, there are 182 sales, 202 service and 68 Body & Paint outlets nationwide and with the Standard Operating Procedures stipulated by the Health Ministry for the protection of the public as well as employees, the facilities have required some reconfiguration. This is to meet important requirements like social distancing that should be 1 metre apart.

Perodua
Measures such as markers on the floor to guide visitors to stand apart (above) and seating areas also adhere to social distancing requirements (below). Note that the children’s play area is closed off, for safety reasons at this time.

Perodua

“We announce today that we have finally put in place the necessary safeguards at all our outlets nationwide to ensure that our valued customers and employees will be sufficiently protected in the light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

Perodua outlets restarted operations on a staggered basis from May 12 and the company has been working hard to ensure all the sufficient health and safety measures are in place.

“We thank our valued customers for their patience and loyalty. We will ensure that all their motoring needs will be met as soon and as safely as possible,” he said.

Perodua factory
Vehicle production resumed on May 11 and the company is now doing its best to fulfil demand as quickly as possible.

Customers looking to service their vehicles are required to secure an appointment slot beforehand with their service centre of choice. Walk-ins will not be accepted at present to avoid crowding.

All visitors to any outlet must undergo temperature checks before entering the outlets, register their details and adhere to social distancing markers within the outlets at all times. Hand sanitisers are placed at key locations, while the outlets themselves are sanitised regularly.

“These safeguards are part and parcel of our commitment to our collective health and safety, towards making the Perodua Experience the best it can be,” said Dato’ Zainal.

To locate a showroom or service centre near you, visit www.perodua.com.my.

War on COVID-19 – Perodua contributes RM2 million to NADMA-COVID 19 Fund

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