By Nasuha Badrul Huzaini
SHAH ALAM, July 15 — The power to authorise the closure of factories falls under the jurisdiction of the police, not local councils, says the Selangor Menteri Besar.
Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the jurisdiction under the local councils is restricted to only monitor and inspect food premises and restaurants.
“This is in accordance with the statement made by Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin on July 1 where he explained the segregation of authority under the Ops Patuh, in which the state government is involved as well.
“For the manufacturing sector, the inspection and surveillance operation is led by the police.
“For restaurants and food premises, the local council is given the authority to observe the standard operating procedures (SOPs) compliance. The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs enforcement officers oversee the distribution and retail operation,” he said in a live talk show with Astro Awani, last night.
Amirudin said the state government is part of Ops Patuh to help with the enforcement operation.
“Therefore, in terms of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act (Act 342), the local councils do not have the jurisdiction to simply revoke or cancel the operating licences of any factories in Selangor.
“This is carried out by the police. The local councils have their own limitations,” he said.
Amirudin added that the local councils do not have enough manpower to conduct surveillance of all the factories operating in the state.
“There are over 5,000 factories operating in the Petaling district itself while each local council has a capacity of around 2,000 workers, including the clerk. The enforcement officers only make up about 10 per cent of the number.
“Hence, it would be quite possible and difficult for the local councils to monitor all of the factory’s operation,” he said.
Yesterday, state executive councillor for local government Ng Sze Han said that only the Federal government are authorised to shutter factories.
He said all efforts to contain the Covid-19 outbreak, including formulating the SOPs, is subject to Act 342.
