KUALA LUMPUR (July 7): The Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA) has suggested that companies whose employees have been fully inoculated against Covid-19 should be allowed to operate at full capacity.

In a statement, the association said the electrical and electronics (E&E) industry, especially the semiconductor ecosystem, has critical cross-industry linkages and applications.

"The supply chain of this industry is highly integrated, be it within its own industry or with other industries, locally and worldwide. The global semiconductor and electronics industry plays a critical role in the global economy and the supply of vital components for medical devices, critical infrastructure, and equipment vital to healthcare.

"Currently the global electronics industry is facing an acute component shortage impacting the medical equipment, automotive and other electronics products," it said, adding that the E&E sector contributed to 6.8% of total gross domestic product and 39% of total exports in 2020, while it employs 575,000 people.

Meanwhile, the association also pointed out that many member companies have completed their first doses of vaccination for their staff, with second doses expected to be administered from today.

In addition, four more Program Imunisasi Industri Covid-19 Kerjasama Awam-Swasta (PIKAS) vaccination centres (PPVs) have commenced vaccination in Negeri Sembilan, Penang and Sarawak, while another four PIKAS PPVs will start around mid-July in Melaka and Penang.

The increased numbers of vaccination would enable the companies and their supply chains to operate safely whilst mitigating the risk of Covid-19.

"The number of PPVs under PIKAS which have been set up nationwide reflects the government's commitment to accelerating the vaccination programme for the safety of the rakyat and preparing the country for a strong rebound of the economy," said its president Datuk Seri Wong Siew Hai.

MSIA also strongly advocated for companies to strictly comply with standard operating procedures (SOPs), conduct regular testing on employees, quarantine affected employees, and adhere with the legal requirements of the Employees' Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446) and set up onsite or common PPVs to accelerate vaccination.

Malaysia's daily Covid-19 vaccination rate climbed further to 340,043 yesterday (July 6) from 313,761 the day before — making it the highest number of vaccine doses delivered per day.

Selangor recorded the highest number of first dose given at 57,473, followed by Kuala Lumpur (39,031) and Sarawak (27,980). As for the second dose — those who are fully inoculated — Sarawak led the country with 31,289, followed by Selangor (22,525) and Kuala Lumpur (14,124).

Cumulatively, 9.66 million doses have been administered in the country.

A total of 6.79 million people or 20.75% of the nation's population have gotten their first shots, while 2.87 million or 8.77% are fully inoculated.