CapitaLand Malaysia Mall Trust | Annual Report 2020

DAVID WONG CHIN HUAT Chairman IN CONVERSATION WITH CHAIRMAN & CEO HOWWAS 2020 FOR CAPITALAND MALAYSIA MALL TRUST (CMMT)? COVID-19, which began as a health emergency, eventually led to a global economic crisis in 2020. From the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, we had put in place precautionary measures across our properties in accordance with guidelines from the local authorities. We also deployed the use of innovative technologies to enhance our cleaning and disinfecting routines to protect the health of our shoppers, tenants and employees. To contain the spread of the virus, the MalaysianGovernment implementeda nationwideMovement Control Order 1 (MCO) from 18 March 2020, followed by a Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) from 4 May 2020. The mandated closure during MCO dealt a blow to shoppingmall tenants who operate non-essential services or supplies. To help alleviate their cash flow and operating difficulties, we have drawn up a comprehensive support package and taken the necessarymeasures to build resilience in and ensure the long-term viability of CMMT’s retail ecosystem. Following the resumption of economic activities under the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) and with most of our tenants having reopened from June 2020, we were heartened to see footfall recovery despite safe management measures in place. We also launched marketing support initiatives to drive traffic back to ourmalls and accelerate digital adoption among tenants via CapitaStar. To provide a safe and convenient shopping experience, CMMT malls are onboard GrabMart which enables shoppers to buy from different retail tenants from samemall through the Grab app and have their purchases delivered to their doorsteps at a single delivery charge. 1 Under the MCO, all government and private premises were mandated to close, except those providing essential services, such as supermarkets, pharmacies, clinics and banks. Food and beverage operators were open strictly for deliveries and take-aways only. 28 CAPITALAND MALAYSIA MALL TRUST • ANNUAL REPORT 2020