Businesses are taking the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Miti) to task for failing to get its website operational as they try to apply to resume certain services under the extended movement-control order (MCO).
Complaints poured in on social media all morning questioning the ministry after it promised yesterday and again last night that it is addressing technical issues after its website crashed yesterday.
Miti posted a notice on its social media platforms today in Bahasa Malaysia and English with a link to a website for companies to apply for approval to continue operations.
However, many applicants could not proceed with the process after logging in.
“I managed to log in and keyed all the information, but when I click save and next, the system will automatically (go) back to the login page (seems like the save and next button has the same function).
“Please do something or else we can’t submit the application,” said SyaziAhmad@SyaziAhmad on Twitter.
Fiona@fionapaul333 said: “We have sumbitted a few times but still not working. How long more will it take?”
fathul hanani@naniwootwoot said: “Berapa kali nk cuba?!!! (How many times do I have to try?!!!)”
Cik Gojess@ainulabrahman said: “Saya dah submit tapi kenapa still tak boleh? Dari semalam saya buat still tak boleh. (I have submitted but why still can’t? From yesterday I tried but still can’t).”
“Fill up everything & click. Goes back to the login page. Frustrating,” tweeted @ZAzraii.
Other users said a “419 error” page kept appearing every time after they log in.
A source in the ministry, when contacted by The Malaysian Insight, said the “website is up and running” but there are still technical issues.
“Industry experts have been called in to support the reconfiguration,” said the person, who isn’t authorised to speak.
Yesterday, Miti said in a statement the portal’s online traffic surged to 176,000 users within the first two hours since the online application system was launched.
“As such, Miti will reconfigure the online application system to ensure that only companies in the sectors which have been allowed to operate will be able to access the system,” it said.
It also said yesterday that the system is expected to be operational at 6pm.
Miti began accepting applications, which are to be done online only, from selected businesses after the government said last Friday that certain services will be allowed to resume operations under the extended MCO period, which now ends on April 28.
These include services involving machinery and equipment, aerospace and science, professional and technical services, including research and development (R&D) related to legal practice, oil & gas, and activities related Covid-19.
Initially, barber shops were also included, but after public outcry, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday said they would remain closed. – TMI