The following article is sent to the editorial of MalaysiaGazette by reader, P.Y. Low
The long due total lockdown is finally here. We were initially delighted that this time, we’re given 3 days to prepare ahead. Basically, essential business owners already know that they can operate. Nevertheless, the process of getting the approval letter from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) is a nuisance.
While conducting an essential business is not merely to ensure that our doors are opened but we also need to ensure smooth operation of the supply chain and our staff can come to work, do deliveries and serve the consumers without any problem at the roadblocks.
To facilitate the workflow & to ensure everyone has the documentations they need, business owners and administrators have been waiting to download the approval letter from KPDNHEP’s website since early this morning. Nevertheless, the website is still down since morning until the current time of writing (2.30pm).
A check on KPDNHEP’s social media also found throngs of unanswered complaints and questions from business owners and administrators about the sacred approval letter, so that they can distribute them to their employees. Hours later, KPDNHEP uploaded a Google Form. An application form for the businesses to operate. Now, after some of us have filled up that form, how do we know if our application has been approved? We need to get the letters out by today!
It is even worse when after filling everything up, it says, the form cannot be reached due to heavy traffic. It somehow brings us back to the memories of 26 May, when we tried to register for the AstraZeneca vaccine. After 4 attempts for filling up that Google Form, we got the standard ‘Information has been received’ message. Oh yes, the Google Form only allowed 1 single registration with 1 Google Account. This is a pain in the neck for businesses with multiple branches.
So now, the question lies with:
- Has my request been approved? My businesses dwells in eggs and fruits wholesale. Hundreds of small retailers & restaurants are going to suffer shortage if I don’t get my documentations today, at the right time.
- When will I know that it has been approved? Time is running out, I’m going to close shop at 5.00 pm.
- Will my employees face problem during the roadblock when they come to work tomorrow as I still cannot download the approval letter?
- Will my lorries face problem at the roadblocks for trying to deliver eggs and fruits to other retailers, restaurants etc as I still cannot download the approval letter?
After waiting for half a day, another social media post emerged on KPDNHEP’s Facebook Account. The standard operating procedures! Asking us to obtain the approval letter via its website, https://www.kpdnhep.gov.my. My dear friendly KPDNHEP, your website is still down as at 3.40 pm, 31 May 2021.
I think, KPDNHEP needs to learn from the Ministry of Transport and CIDB on this matter. By early morning, all documents are in & ready for download.
Therefore, if any of my employee receives a fine for travelling to or for work when the authority demands for the KPDNHEP letter despite I have given the work letter from my company to them, should I pay the fine? -MalaysiaGazette
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