Automotive Industry in MCO 3.
What’s Allowed and What’s Not during This Pandemic
This article originally appeared on autosentral.com on July 12, 2021.
As all Malaysian citizens would have known, the country has been under total lockdown for 4 weeks since June 1. As the country settles in for what media are dubbing Full Movement Control Order (FMCO), here’s the list of what is allowed and not allowed to operate in the automotive and transport sector for the coming weeks.
Car workshops, spare parts businesses as well as tyre shops will be allowed to remain open from June 1 to June 28, when the country goes into lockdown under the tightened third movement control order (MCO 3.0).
Even though car showrooms are allowed to open, it is expected that some car manufacturers can continuously accept online reservations. During the four-week lockdown period, car manufacturing will be suspended at factories, but after-sales servicing will be accessible at 3S and 4S centres, although with decreased labour capacity.
Vehicle maintenance (body and paint) and service centres are also permitted to operate at appointed worker capacity percentage, as mentioned by Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, minister of domestic trade and consumer affairs (KPDNHEP). These establishments will not be able to provide car wash services during this period.
Outlets must also follow all local government guidelines and follow standard operating procedures (SOPs), as well as capacity, travel radius, and inter-district/state crossing limitations.
With manufacturing and distribution halting in the next two weeks, new car registrations will also come to a standstill, raising the question of how the continuing Penjana sales tax exemption, which is applicable until June 30, will be handled.
From our understanding, there was a mad rush to get registrations and issues resolved at the road transport department (JPJ) office in Wangsa Maju weeks ago, and there’s a good chance that if restrictions ease, there will be another rush to finish registrations in the final upcoming weeks, which should be avoided. There’s also a chance that no car registrations will be completed by June 30, therefore some clarity on the situation is urgently required.
As stated by the JPJ, For Motor Vehicle License (LKM) and Malaysian Driving License (LMM) (including PSV/GDL) which will expire from 1 June to 31 July 2021, given flexibility to renew LKM and LMM from 1 August to 30 September 2021. However, the public must ensure that the vehicle has valid insurance coverage and show (e-cover note insurance) to the enforcement officer if requested.
Till then, hope you guys understand our current situation in this government enforcement for the automotive sector. But it does not mean you have to stop surveying and buying cars from us. In Autosentral, we manage to conduct the sales and services to you via online. Feel free to consult with our team via emel or call +6019–383 9484 to share your thought with us!
