GEORGE TOWN | The electrical and electronics (E&E) industry is allowed to operate with a skeletal staff during the movement control order period from March 18 to March 31.
Globetronics Technology Bhd
chief executive office officer Datuk Heng Huck Lee said the group’s facility in Bayan Lepas would comply and resume with strict Health Ministry guidelines implemented.
“We obtained clarification from the International Trade and Industry Ministry on Tuesday night that those involved in the E&E business can commence work with a skeletal workforce today.
“Globetronics is carrying out operations with 50% of its workforce.
“The move by the government will help reduce the severe disruption in the critical operations of E&E companies, ” he said.
Heng added that the government should also look into the transportation of goods from across the borders.
“To support social distancing, we have arranged to allow 50% of our administrative staff to work from home during this period, ” he said.
Heng added that the government should also look into the transportation of goods from across the borders.
“We also need the air and sea freight forwarding sector to function smoothly to ensure the scheduled delivery of our raw materials and finished goods.
“We can’t manufacture if the supply-chain is disconnected, ” Heng said.
Pentamaster Corp Bhd chairman CB Chuah(pic below) said the group’s plants in Bayan Lepas and Batu Kawan were in operation.
“About 50% of our total workforce are manning the production line.
“We will have to assess daily the impact on the group’s business.
“We have requested our suppliers in Malaysia to continue sending us the components we need for our test equipment.
“We still face a shortage of raw materials as the suppliers in China have just returned to work, ” he added.
Mini-Circuits Technologies (Malaysia), a subsidiary of the New York-based Scientific Components, says the group’s 2020 revenue would drop by about 20% from about US$380mil a year ago due to the outbreak of Covid-19 which have affected Europe, United States and Asia, where it has 11 manufacturing facilities.
“Our plant in Penang generates 25% of the group’s revenue, ” said its president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Kelvin Kiew.
The Mini-Circuits facility in Penang manufactures about 30% of the radio frequency chips (RF) for the worldwide market.
Penang Freight Forwarders Association honorary secretary-general Ali Ahmad said its members were permitted to handle inbound and outbound E&E, perishable and garment products.
“Some delay, however, is to be expected as there are cancellation of flights and constraint of space to and from Malaysia.
