KUALA LUMPUR: Central Global Bhd, which manufactures industrial masking tapes and label stocks, is appealing to the government to allow its main factory in Kuala Muda, Kedah to resume operations.

       The government had extended the enhanced movement control order (EMCO) in certain areas of Kuala Muda, where the group’s factory is located, by another two weeks to Aug 1.

       Central Global’s factory has been closed since July 5, 2021. The factory employs almost entirely locals, with several among the 170 employees having been with the group for more than four decades.

       Central Global executive chairman Datuk Faisal Zelman said the company has backlog orders to fulfil which will keep factory busy until year end, but operations have been affected due to the EMCO.

       Central Global executive chairman Datuk Faisal Zelman said the company has backlog orders to fulfil which will keep factory busy until year end.

       “We are consistently in discussion with the authorities despite of the lockdown measures which has been imposed in the EMCO zones.

       “We managed to obtain permission to operate on a partial basis being categorised as an essential industry (packaging) during the period of the MCO 1.0 and we hope that the government will consider applying the similar regulations for the current EMCO as well,” he said.

       Faisal reassured all stakeholders that the management will do all it can to ensure that its business can be sustained and to maintain operational efficiency and quality.

       Aside from manufacturing the masking tapes, Central Global is also a general building contractor.

       He said the group will continue to keep a tight rein on cashflow in order to sustain the business.