The Company also wishes to reiterate that it has always remained professional in dealings with the National Union of Workers in Hospital Support and Allied Services (“union”).

It is unfortunate that the gathering on 2 June 2020 at the Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun (“HRPB”), Ipoh, Perak took place during the Conditional Movement Control Order (“CMCO”) period, which defied Regulation 7 (1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations. Actions taken by the authorities relating to the organisation of public gatherings during the CMCO are matters which are neither determined, nor issued by the Company.

UEM Edgenta would like to reiterate that the Company neither contacted the authorities during the unfortunate incident, nor is the Company pressing any charges on them.

Out of the five (5) union members who were detained and charged with defying the CMCO, only one (1) is confirmed to be a current employee of Edgenta UEMS Sdn. Bhd. (“Edgenta UEMS”), a wholly owned subsidiary operating under the Company’s Healthcare Support Division. Based on our internal investigations, the Company has identified that only four (4) who gathered in front of HRPB on 2 June 2020 are hospital front liners, while the rest are made up of external parties and not the Company’s employees. The Company did not stop any of our employees from participating in the gathering as they took personal leave to do so.

The Company wishes to highlight that pursuant to an insourcing arrangement which was discussed within UEM Edgenta, a total of 2,200 cleaners from previous subcontractors became employees of Edgenta UEMS on 1 January 2020. This arrangement was implemented in the spirit of offering better livelihoods to our employees, which among others benefits include:

1. Permanent employment (cleaners were on contract terms with previous employer)
2. Improved basic salary aligned with national minimum wage act
3. EPF contribution of 13% (not enjoyed with previous employer prior to insourcing arrangement)
4. Healthcare benefits (insurance coverage, group hospitalisation scheme, outpatient)
5. Paid Annual Leave

Only six (6) individuals refused the terms offered. The acceptance of over 99% of cleaners to become Edgenta UEMS permanent employees is a clear indicator of improved welfare and benefits compared to the front liners’ pervious contract terms which the Company wishes to highlight.

On the matter relating to Edgenta UEMS front liners denied PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic, UEM Edgenta wishes to reiterate that the Company continues to ensure the availability and responsible usage of PPE and that there are stock controls in place to avoid abuse of PPE usage, as well as reduce the risk of pilferage. Supply of PPE was known to have a global shortage in March 2020, an issue which was also highlighted by the World Health Organization (“WHO”) during that period. Nevertheless, the Company took extra efforts to procure PPE to ensure the safety of staff despite significantly higher cost.

Due to the swift action by the Company and prioritisation of worker’s safety over cost, PPE supplies and stocks were adequate since April 2020, and staff had been provided with appropriate PPE based on hospital recommended usage guidelines. There are differentiated usage guidelines for COVID-19 vs non COVID-19 treatment areas due to the level of risk involved following MoH Guidelines COVID-19 Management No.5/2020 (updated on 24 March 2020).

UEM Edgenta is committed to the highest standards of professionalism, honesty, integrity, accountability and ethical behaviour in the conduct of its business and operations. We aspire to conduct our affairs in an ethical, responsible and transparent manner. The Company’s Whistleblowing Policy (“the Policy”) has been formulated to enable employees of UEM Edgenta and members of the public to report instances of unethical behaviour, improper conduct, actual or suspected fraud and / or abuse with the Company. The implementation of the Policy is also in line with the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010, Companies Act 2016, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, Capital Markets and Services Act 2007, Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, Personal Data Protection Act 2010 and all applicable laws and regulations in Malaysia. Disclosures can be made via the whistleblowing channel on the Company’s website (https://whistleblowing.uemedgenta.com/WhistleBlowerMain.aspx).

The Company has released two statements on the matter prior to this, providing clarity on misleading allegations by the union. The latest statement dated 3 June 2020 is an 11-point rebuttal which is attached in the Company’s distribution for further reference. Due to ongoing developments relating to this matter, any further updates will be communicated through our website (www.uemedgenta.com).

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