[UPDATED] Domestic Trade Ministry site down after permit letter details shared online

KUALA LUMPUR – The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry website crashed around noon today after contact details on applying for business approval letters were shared on social media.

Businesses linked to retail, wholesale and distribution will have to get approval letters from the ministry if they want to continue operating during the two-week lockdown that starts tomorrow.

A ministry spokesman confirmed the glitch.

“We had a glitch just now as our network is riding on Putrajaya Campus Network. The Transport Ministry also reported the same (thing).

“However as of 12.30pm, it is back to normal. We expect the performance to be a bit affected as the volume to access the site accelerates.”

However, a check by The Vibes at 1pm found that the ministry’s official website is still inaccessible.

 As at 6.38pm, the website is still down.

Meanwhile, the ministry on Twitter shared a Google Form pertaining to the approval application.

Required details are company name and address, Companies Commission of Malaysia registration number, applicant name and contact number, as well as business category, such as pharmacies, mini-marts, delivery services and hardware shops.

Surprisingly, the form also includes eateries and restaurants. In the list released by the government yesterday, food and beverage premises are listed under the Federal Territories Ministry’s purview, while manufacturing and manufacturing-related services will need an International Trade and Industry Ministry approval letter, which can be downloaded from the Covid-19 Intelligent Management System 3.0.

Meanwhile, netizens have left comments on problems they are facing when submitting their application.

Among the issues raised are submission of worker names, application confusion for a company with multiple branches, unable to upload Excel sheets, and unsure on how to check if an application has been approved.

Information on these matters is not available on the ministry’s social media channels.

Shortly after 2pm, the ministry issued a statement outlining 10 services as essential during the lockdown period.

Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said supermarkets, department stores (limited to the sale of food, beverages and essential items), pharmacies and self-care stores, convenience stores, mini marts, grocery stores, and restaurants in malls are allowed to operate at full capacity.

Eateries, laundrettes, pet stores and shops selling animal food, optometrists and shops selling optical items, hardware stores, vehicle workshops, and spare parts centres are allowed to operate at 60% capacity.

All 10 essential services must obtain a permission letter from the ministry to operate during the lockdown, said Nanta. – The Vibes, May 31, 2021