PUTRAJAYA: The government is in discussions with Singapore over the issue of Malaysians wanting to return, particularly through the causeway.
At a press conference today, Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the concern was that Singapore was following the World Health Organization’s guidelines in only conducting swab tests on those displaying symptoms.
Malaysia, on the other hand, makes it a requirement for all returning citizens to be subject to a swab test to ensure they are not carrying the virus.
Now, Malaysians who have passed the screening in Singapore receive a letter stating that they are free of Covid-19 and should self-quarantine.
“We are not satisfied with what is being practised, and we are discussing with Singapore to allow our citizens to remain there and that they bear the cost of their stay there and daily food allowance.”
But he acknowledged that Singapore did not have the right to bar citizens who wanted to leave.
So, he said, the government was discussing with Singapore the possibility of employers of Malaysians there providing information on how many Malaysians wished to return.
“The purpose of this is so we can plan, maybe 5,000 people cannot return at one go, or 10,000 a day, it would make screening difficult,” he said, adding that swab tests would be conducted as well.
“I would advise (Malaysians there) to remain in Singapore because they can work there, because of the Singapore senior minister’s guarantee that they will be allowed to continue working, and the existing agreement that they will take care of the accommodation and food (of Malaysians).”
Meanwhile, in the second phase of the MCO, Ismail said a total of 758 roadblocks and 35,263 spotchecks were carried out yesterday, resulting in the arrest of 454 individuals, an increase from 403 arrested the day before.
“There are still Malaysians who are stubborn and flouting the MCO,” he said, adding that 380 had been remanded and the rest granted bail.
As of yesterday, a total of 6,905 people had been arrested for flouting the MCO.
On the government’s Covid-19 fund, Ismail said a total of RM22.6 million had been donated by various parties to date.
He said there were also other Covid-19 fund collections set up by different parties, including corporations, and that the government was grateful for this.
“But we have decided today that all Covid-19 fund collections must be registered with the finance ministry for tax exemption.” – FMT