With the further extensions of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) to 14 January and the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO), updated sets of SOPs has been issued. Updates cover the restriction on health protocols, sports and recreational activities, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions), and tourist and cultural activities.

Following the introduction of advertising requirements for expatriate positions via the national employment portal MYFutureJobs, which takes effect starting 1 January 2021, a detailed set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) have been released.

The COVID-19 screening program for foreign workers has been implemented to assist the government’s efforts in curbing the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the country particularly among foreign workers. This program requires COVID-19 screening for all foreign workers contributing to SOCSO and working in the states of Selangor, F.T. Kuala Lumpur and Labuan, Negeri Sembilan, Penang and Sabah. A detailed set of FAQs have been issued from Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial (PERKESO).

The operation of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Declaration of Infected Local Areas) Order 2020 which has been extended for the period from 1st September 2020 to 31 December 2020 by the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases is further extended for a period from 1st January 2021 to 31st March 2021.

Pear Anderson has been keeping track of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Southeast Asian travel industry. This is the latest update as of January 3, 2021. Thailand strengthens lockdown measures (insisting it is not a "lockdown"), whilst adding more public holidays in 2021 to boost domestic tourism. Indonesia and the Philippines get spooked by the new strain of COVID-19, limiting which foreign nationals are allowed to enter. Singapore starts its vaccination program on 30 December with frontline workers receiving the first jabs.

Join us for the annual AmChams of Asia Pacific (AAP) Business Summit, the region’s largest AmCham event of 2021, to engage with industry leaders and government representatives from the U.S. and Asia Pacific region on relevant policy and business-related issues. All plenary sessions will take place virtually, with in-person industry breakout discussions for each of the 14 AmCham Committees to be held at Marina Bay Sands Singapore.

Build connections and strengthen partnerships with global C-suite leaders, senior management from the regional AmChams, diplomats and government officials, partners of AmCham, including NGOs, think tanks, and trade associations, and international media. Showcase the exceptional work of your company and business leaders through the APAC Business Transformation Awards and stand a chance to receive global recognition.

Mark your calendars now and keep a look out for the official summit website and other details soon! For more information, please contact our AAP Team.

AMCHAM are excited to announce its partnership with LeadWomen and UN Women, as one of the supporting organizations for the upcoming WEPs Malaysia Activator Campaigns.

Join LeadWomen on 14 January 2021 where they will be officially announcing the UN Women and LeadWomen partnership, as well as formally introducing the Women Empowerment Principles into Malaysia!

The Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation under the purview of the Communication Ministry, saw changes in mid 2020 with the appointment of a new chairman, the role of the agency was then questioned and Datuk Wira Dr Haji Rais Hussin was directed to set out a new mandate. His immediate objective was to implement significant changes in its operating model and people culture, focus Transparency, Accountability and Integrity.

RHB Banking Group (RHB Group) continues to drive its sustainable development initiative through social-impact asset financing activities as well as the provision of affordable life insurance protection. These initiatives focus on the social aspects of sustainable development and are aligned with the RHB Sustainability Framework.

FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, recently bagged two highly-acclaimed industry awards, namely the “Sustainability & CSR Malaysia Awards 2020” and “2020 MY AMCHAM Cares.” These awards recognize FedEx Malaysia for its FedEx / JA International Trade Challenge and Young Enterprise (YE) programs, which educate and inspire young talents to have an entrepreneurial mindset geared toward international trade.

In a year that has seen a pandemic that has left few unaffected, where consequences resulting from attempts to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus has seen the lives and livelihoods for millions across the globe impacted, the most dire impacts cannot be over stated. In the worst cases, impacts on the livelihoods of those most vulnerable has led to rising poverty levels, with Oxfam reporting that up to 12,000 people per day are facing starvation in 2020.