Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) Standard and Compliance Division (S&C) had recently organised the Centralised Labour Quarters (CLQ) and Security Webinar 2021 on 3 August 2021 with the theme ‘Implementing Prevention Measures: Infectious diseases and External Threats’.

In its fourth year since beginning in 2017, the seminar was organised by MRT Corp with the aim to communicate current laws, policies on code of practices, and way forward on workers’ accommodation during COVID-19 as well as to enhance awareness of external threats in the MRT Corp Project.

Present at the webinar were personnel from MRT Putrajaya Line, RTS Link, MRT 3 Circle Line, Work Package Contractors, Turnkey Contractor and consultants from various levels.

The seminar was officiated by MRT Corp CLQ, Safety, Security, Health and Environment Senior Manager, Encik Muhammad Nor Hadi Kasah. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the seminar was conducted online for the participants as it must be continued in order for the them to receive up-to-date information on the projects.

Starting off the seminar was Encik Che Rokman Che Awang from the Department of Labour, who gave a talk on ‘Amendment Act on the Minimum Standards of the Housing and Employee Act 1990’. He discussed on the initiatives to improve foreign workers’ accommodation, which includes minimum living space standards, basic facilities for workers as well as safety and cleanliness elements during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He commended MRT Corp for initiating the CLQs to house the workers, providing them with decent accommodation, which has now been frequently used as benchmark for other projects.

Dr. Sudeash Rajakrishnan from the Petaling District Health Office Disease Control Unit then took over the floor with a presentation titled ‘Management and Control of Infectious Diseases Among Foreign Workers’. He explained on types of infectious diseases in Malaysia, the concept of management, and its control. He also touched on guidelines and methods to prevent COVID-19 among workers.

After a short intermission, the seminar continued with DCP Normah Ishak from Royal Malaysia Police, speaking on the ‘Emerging and Current Threats of Terrorism’. She explained the characteristics of global terrorism and the different types of threats that could occurred. DCP Normah also highlighted on the role of the police force, being responsible for the full cycle of counter-terrorism in Malaysia.

The program ended with a short quiz where the questions were based on the presentation by the speakers, with 5 winners selected.

This seminar was largely a success, with a variety of information and knowledge which can then be applied in managing the security and the CLQs, for the betterment of MRT Corp projects.