Malaysia’s MPMA, FMFTA gear up to address PPE shortage

The Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA) and the Federation of Malaysian Fashion, Textile and Apparel (FMFTA) are stepping up efforts to fill the supply chain gap for key personal protection equipment (PPE) in the country. MPMA has been working to repurpose machines to overcome a global shortage of non-woven material needed for PPE.

FMFTA is working on the production process to sew the jumpsuits, isolation gowns, head covers and boot covers.

“We in Malaysia can no longer depend on supply from other countries. Hence, we have worked with our members to repurpose their machines and reallocate their resources, even at the expense of foregoing their normal businesses to ensure that these materials are available here,” MPMA president Datuk Lim Kok Boon was quoted as saying by a Malaysian media report.

The samples have been made and sent for approval to the ministry of health.

Meanwhile, FMFTA president Datuk Seri Tan Thian Poh said more than 10 factories have been identified and the two main textile manufacturers under its umbrella were Malaysian Textile Manufacturers Association (MTMA) and Malaysian Knitting Manufacturers Association (MKMA).