Published on August 13th, 2021 | by Subhash Nair

Car Showrooms, Car Factories and JPJ Can Open Fully With SOP’s

The government is expected to make an announcement on car factories, car showrooms and JPJ and getting your road tax renewals soon.

The government will soon be making a few important announcements with regards to the automotive industry of Malaysia. What’s expected to be mentioned are new rules for the opening of car showrooms and factories in Malaysia as well as the opening of JPJ offices.

Details are still sketchy as of writing this, but we have it on good authority that an official announcement should be made sometime today by either the Prime Minister or one of his Senior Ministers.

Announcement Of Car Showrooms Rules

Car dealerships were amongst the worst hit businesses during the extended 2021 lockdown. Many car brands reported record low sales numbers and are keeping dealership staff on a lifeline, as most of their salaries are dependent on commissions generated from sales. Honda, for example, has sold just 5,700 units between May and July 2021. Last year, they sold more than 12,000 units in the same time period.

Honda Malaysia car showrooms in Malaysia

After some discussion with the relevant government agencies and ministries, it was decided that showrooms would be allowed to reopen. However, there were conditions attached to this. First of all, any staff member present at the showroom had to prove that they had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Secondly, customers who entered the premises would also have to prove that they were fully vaccinated.

These are considered new Standard Operating Procedures (S.O.P.s) and the government will probably issue guidelines on how these SOPs are to be carried out. Most like vaccination cards or the MySejahtera App will be used as customers and staff members enter the premises.

The Ministry of Transport are also in discussion with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) to see if it’s possibly for these rules to be applicable throughout the nation, regardless of which phase the state is in.

Announcement of Road Tax Extension and JPJ Opening

It is also expected that an extension of the road tax renewal deadline will be announced tomorrow. It is unclear if this extension is aimed at making things easier for the citizens or to keep the number of people visiting JPJ offices down to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Also expected is an announcement regarding the opening of JPJ offices nationwide. There is talk that JPJ offices will be kept open everyday until the end of September of 2021. Perhaps to help clear the backlog of car registrations and other items that have piled up since JPJ offices were closed.