Malaysia BE industry commits to Safe Event Environment

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Business Events Council Malaysia (BECM) and Malaysia Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS) joined hands with Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) and brought together Malaysia’s venue operators to engage with the Government on thorough monitoring and reporting as well as correct implementation and enforcement of the industry Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Respected dignitaries like Y.Bhg. Datin Sri Norfaliza, Head of COVID-19 Unit, Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture (MOTAC), Dr.ZulhizzamHj. Abdullah, Deputy Director, Public Health Development Division, Ministry of Health (MOH), En. Hamzah b Ishak, Director of Crisis Management and National Intelligence, National Security Council (NSC), and Senior Assistant Commissioner M.V. Srikumar a/l Madhavan Nair, Department of Homeland Security & Public Safety (KDNKA), Royal Malaysia Police graced the co-ordination meeting with their presence and shared insights with the industry players on compliance and implementation of the SOPs.

Alan Pryor, Chairman, BECM said in his statement that authorities are appreciative of the engagement with the government to help the industry implement effective measures to enforce adherence to SOPs. He also acknowledged and thanked Y.Bhg. Datin Sri Norfaliza for his instrumental role in elevating the SOPs for consideration and endorsement. He mentioned that at present, it is highly essential for all industry players to commit to ensuring that SOPs are strictly and ethically implemented and enforced in all stages of an event, from planning to execution to post event contract tracing as it will help the industry to instil confidence in the public and government about the possibility of conducting events in a controlled, safe and secured environment.

Besides emphasising on the importance of adherence to the SOPs, the engagement session also focussed on the Government’s support to the industry. Large Event Organisers were encouraged to liaise with the MOH and the Malaysia Royal Police in the planning phase of any large scale event to ensure a smooth and safe execution. In addition, the industry itself was urged to reach out to all big and small players in the supply chain and to provide feedback through MyCEB on any challenges or problems faced in the implementation of the SOPs and to ensure they have access to the SOPs alongside a correct implementation process.

BE industry supply chain is directly affected by no less than six SOPs covering the various activities that take place in differing facilities ranging from hotels and shopping malls to convention and exhibition centres and from special and government events to meetings, conventions and trade shows. The highest benchmark for each category was consolidated by BECM and MACEOS which culminated in the launch of the consolidated BE Guidelines late July.

Discussions on travel bubbles and cross border travel were also conducted and it was emphasised that these developments are highly dependent on the developing trends around the spread and containment of COVID-19 around the region and the world. It was also mentioned that in a time when the prevention and control of the pandemic remains the most important priority, virtual participation continues to be an integral option in all types of business events.

Dato’ Sri Abdul Khani bin Daud, Chief Executive Officer, MyCEB said in his statement that the venue sector has to take the lead in ensuring conformity to the SOPs but the execution in adhering to the SOPs would remain a joint responsibility. He also mentioned that it is imperative to ensure event organisers have ‘covered’ all the requirements in their pre-event planning. He shared that the primary objective is to demonstrate that events and exhibitions can and are being held in a controlled, secure and safe environment. He also assured that MyCEB, BECM and MACEOS will enforce strict self-regulation to ensure the BE industry can continue to operate in the new normal.

Dato’ Vincent Lim, President, MACEOS further urged all MACEOS members and other BE industry players to collaborate and adhere to the approved guidelines and SOPs. He mentioned that with venue operators taking the lead to implement the best SOP practices, event organisers will be able to abide by the requirements when executing their events in accordance to the standards of the Ministry of Health.  

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