By Emmanuel Samarathisa
PUTRAJAYA has revoked its approval for brewer Heineken Malaysia Bhd to operate during the movement control order (MCO), according to Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa.
Annuar tweeted today that the exemption had been rescinded this morning for not following the government’s policy on the matter.
Heineken said in an April 5 statement that the brewer had received approval from the government to resume limited operations with a “minimal number of essential workers” during the MCO.
But news portal Free Malaysia Today (FMT) reported earlier today that the government was going to revoke the approval, after pushback from Perikatan Nasional (PN) component parties PAS and Umno.
FMT said the decision to allow the group to remain open was “premature” as Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry secretary-general Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad had issued the letter without the approval of his minister or the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti).
FMT said Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi was absent from a Cabinet meeting this morning.
The letter to Heineken dated March 31 approving “limited operations” was signed by Hasnol, who said the brewery had met the criteria of a food supplier and could remain in operation during the MCO period. – April 6, 2020
