MPIC: Nod for plantation, commodity sector to operate will ensure supply of essential goods

KUALA LUMPUR: The government’s decision to allow the plantation and commodity sector to operate during the Movement Control Order (MCO) is necessary to ensure the nation’s economic recovery process, while the people could have access to essential goods during the period.

Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali said the move would also ensure the nation’s income source, particularly for agri-commodity smallholders, are not affected.

“All farmers, manufacturers and companies operating throughout the MCO and emergency period have to comply fully with the set standard operating procedures (SOPs) that can be obtained on the ministry’s website to ensure the safety of the people is guaranteed,” he said in a statement.

He said the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC) would monitor and ensure that all activities in the plantation and commodity sector comply with the prescribed SOPs.

The government has allowed five economic sectors including plantation and commodity to operate during the MCO in Penang, Selangor, Melaka, Johor, Sabah and the three Federal Territories starting from Jan 13 until 26, 2021.

This covers all agri-commodity production activities such as oil palm, rubber, wood including the furniture, cocoa, pepper, kenaf, and biodiesel as well as their related industries for farm, smallholders, trade, agricultural inputs, processing plants, as well as certification.

Mohd Khairuddin said his ministry hoped all parties in the sectors allowed to operate would be able to adapt to the new normal practices including compliance with physical distancing, personal and work place hygiene, as well as the guidelines set from time to time.

Any enquiries on SOPs can be forwarded to MPIC via hotline 03-88803498 from Monday to Friday beginning from 8 am until 5 pm, or email to hotlinempic@ mpic.gov.my. — Bernama