THOSE employed across the Causeway would only be allowed to return, after the Singapore government certifies them free of the Covid-19 virus.
“This was part of the agreement reached earlier between both countries, which requires Malaysians working in the republic to pass health screening before returning home,” Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.
“There are some changes to the agreement whereby the working group involving the Human Resources Ministry will discuss certain new terms. The Foreign Ministry will announce it on Tuesday.
“For now, we do not allow our citizens to enter (return to) our country,” he told a press conference after a special Cabinet meeting on Monday.
The Senior Minister was quoted by Bernama to have said this when commenting on media reports that Malaysian workers in Singapore were planning their exodus home beginning Monday, including some on foot via the Johor Causeway.
This development came about following Singapore’s imposition of stricter measures like closing schools and non-essential businesses to stem the spread of COVID-19.
Ismail Sabri, who is also Defence Minister, said Rohingya immigrants arrested Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Langkawi on Sunday, have been placed under quarantine on the island.
The Foreign Ministry, Immigration Department and National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) would be responsible for assisting the foreigners resolve their problems.
“Since they are already in our country (our waters), we have a responsibility to look after their interests. Therefore, they will be quarantined in Langkawi,” Ismail Sabri was quoted.
On Sunday morning, border security detained a boat loaded with 202 illegal Rohingya immigrants drifting near a beach resort in Jalan Pantai Kok, Teluk Nibong.
On a related matter, Ismail Sabri said 925 people have been quarantined at 118 centres nationwide, bringing the total under quarantine to 6,698.
Till noon Monday, 236 patients had recovered bringing the number discharged to 1,241. One death was recorded bringing to 62 the number of Covid-19 deaths.
