PROTON’s Vaccination Drive

To supplement the government’s efforts in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic, PROTON took the initiative to organise its own vaccination drive for all its employees, dealership staff and suppliers. The result has been outstanding, as they gear up to resume operations once again.

Malaysia has been struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic for some time now, with the number of reported positive cases gradually rising since end of 2020, reaching record highs in August 2021. This forced the government to impose its third Movement Control Order (MCO) back in June this year which has shut down a large part of the country’s economic sector. 

The automotive sub-sector (deemed non-essential) has not been in operation much since then. Factories have been left idle, dealerships and head offices closed with staff having to work mostly from home (well, those who could anyway). The only exception is vehicle service centres, which are allowed to operate to facilitate repair and maintenance, but strictly on a pre-appointment basis. 

On the bright side, Malaysia’s vaccination drive has been lauded as one of the best in the world since it went full swing in May of this year. As of August 24th, alost 57% of its adult population have already received their second dosage, while nearly 79% altogether have received their first.

To help expedite the effort and ensure all of its staff are fully vaccinated when business re-opens, PROTON took the initiative to conduct its own vaccination drive for staff at its main factory in Tanjung Malim, as well as for staff from its Shah Alam factory and headquarters. This courtesy was also extended to dealerships and suppliers, which makes up a total of more than 60,000 people.  

PROTON worked with local authorities to repurpose its 2,000–capacity sports complex in Tanjung Malim into a vaccine dispensing centre, while similar vaccination efforts were conducted in Shah Alam at a nearby convention hall. The operation first ran for six days beginning July 12th, with a maximum of 800 vaccines administered daily. The entire process was restarted three weeks later to administer the second dose. 

To date, more than 89% of PROTON’s entire workforce of about 8,500 people have been fully vaccinated with two doses while the remaining 11% awaits their second dosage – even better than an already-impressive national average. PROTON plans to have all of its employees fully vaccinated by the end of August.

PROTON’S vaccination drive aims to better prepare them for when the government allows businesses to resume operations by end of August, with the condition that they can only operate at a certain capacity with fully vaccinated staff. This would also ensure the health and safety not only of employees, but of customers and visitors, who themselves, must also be fully vaccinated to ensure a total safe environment for all.

PROTON’s CEO, Dr. Li Chunrong, spoke about the company’s efforts: “PROTON is committed to helping Malaysia lower the number of COVID-19 infections by creating new processes in all areas, ensuring a new and safer work environment. It also means strict new rules will be enforced throughout the company which will be the norm for the near future.” 

All this may seem like a lot of work: vaccinations, double masking, face shields, and social distancing, but these measures are imperative in ensuring that the people, the economy and nation as a whole survives this present adversity.

PROTON have already lost some of their staff members to COVID-19, making them even more dedicated in preventing the spread of the coronavirus and keeping people protected. We wish them the very best in the days and months to come.

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