By Nasuha Badrul Huzaini
SHAH ALAM, July 7 — Eight out of 28 factories owned by the biggest world glove manufacturer, Top Glove Corp Bhd, in Meru, Klang, have temporarily ceased operations, says the Klang District Disaster Management Committee chairman Mohd Zainal Mohd Nor.
He said the factories were ordered to halt its operations in compliance with the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) enforced in the area from July 3.
“On July 5, we have carried out a compliance inspection together with the District Disaster Management Committee (JPBD) Klang, Klang Utara District Police Headquarters (IPD), Klang City Council (MPK) and Klang District Health Office (PKD) following complaints by the public.
“The public claimed that the factories have violated the EMCO standard operating procedures (SOP) enforced in Klang district.
“During the inspection, we have identified a few confusions regarding the approval for operation issued by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Miti) to Top Glove. The approval is not applicable to the area which was gazetted under the EMCO,” he said in a media statement today.
Zainal said the temporary closure of seven out of the eight factories was made in accordance with the provisions under Section 18 (1)(f) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) for operating in the category of non-essential services during the EMCO period (activity: glove manufacturing).
“Meanwhile, one factory was ordered to close as it does not have a valid business license under the provisions of the Trade, Business and Industrial Licensing Bylaw (MPK) 2007.
“After further discussion, Top Glove had decided to voluntarily shut down the operation of remaining factories at Jalan Meru,” he said.
In a related development, three compounds under Act 342 were issued to the glove manufacturing company by the parties involved during the inspection.
“The compounds amounting to RM30,000 were issued after the company failed to ensure its workers adhere to the enforced National Security Council (NSC) SOP,” he said.
