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M'sians working in S'pore told to remain here
Malaysian authorities are currently in discussion with its Singapore counterparts.
Fasiha Nazren| Syahindah Ishak|
April 08, 06:59 PM
Many Malaysians were spotted on Apr. 6 at the Johor–Singapore Causeway as they rushed to return home before Singapore implemented its circuit breaker measures on Apr. 7.
This was despite Malaysian Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob stating that Malaysians are prohibited from returning up north.
Singapore to be accountable for accommodation & daily allowance
In response to a media query on the situation, Ismail explained at a press conference on Apr. 8 that Singapore and Malaysia have a different standard of procedures (SOPs).
He said: "For Singapore, they are following WHO (World Health Organisation)'s SOP so those who are asymptomatic are not required to do swab tests for Covid-19. But for us, we ensure that all Malaysians returning home will undergo the Covid-19 swab test."
"Those who have successfully returned have been instructed to remain at home for self-quarantine. But we are not fully satisfied with this. We have discussed with the Singaporean authorities to let our citizens remain in Singapore and be accountable for their accommodation and daily allowance for food and drinks."
He added that Singapore's Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean has been told about this plan.
Working with Singapore's MOM to get accurate number of returning Malaysian workers
However, Ismail understands that Singapore authorities "do not have the right" to stop Malaysians from returning home and thus, this led to the situation at the Causeway on Monday night.
To handle this issue, Ismail said that Malaysia is currently discussing with its Singapore counterparts to make employers officially report on the number of Malaysian workers returning from Singapore.
"We want clear information. Our Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will be in discussion with Singapore's MOM to get the list of returning Malaysians. The purpose of this list is to allow us to plan," he added.
Encouraged Malaysians to stay in Singapore
Ismail also encouraged Malaysians to stay in Singapore if possible.
He said that all of them "cannot return at the same time" as it may overwhelm the system.
He said: "There could be 5,000 or 10,000 (returning Malaysians) in a day. It will be difficult for us."
Malaysian authorities are currently in discussion with its Singapore counterparts.
Fasiha Nazren| Syahindah Ishak|
Many Malaysians were spotted on Apr. 6 at the Johor–Singapore Causeway as they rushed to return home before Singapore implemented its circuit breaker measures on Apr. 7.
This was despite Malaysian Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob stating that Malaysians are prohibited from returning up north.
Singapore to be accountable for accommodation & daily allowance
In response to a media query on the situation, Ismail explained at a press conference on Apr. 8 that Singapore and Malaysia have a different standard of procedures (SOPs).
He said: "For Singapore, they are following WHO (World Health Organisation)'s SOP so those who are asymptomatic are not required to do swab tests for Covid-19. But for us, we ensure that all Malaysians returning home will undergo the Covid-19 swab test."
"Those who have successfully returned have been instructed to remain at home for self-quarantine. But we are not fully satisfied with this. We have discussed with the Singaporean authorities to let our citizens remain in Singapore and be accountable for their accommodation and daily allowance for food and drinks."
He added that Singapore's Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean has been told about this plan.
Working with Singapore's MOM to get accurate number of returning Malaysian workers
However, Ismail understands that Singapore authorities "do not have the right" to stop Malaysians from returning home and thus, this led to the situation at the Causeway on Monday night.
To handle this issue, Ismail said that Malaysia is currently discussing with its Singapore counterparts to make employers officially report on the number of Malaysian workers returning from Singapore.
"We want clear information. Our Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will be in discussion with Singapore's MOM to get the list of returning Malaysians. The purpose of this list is to allow us to plan," he added.
Encouraged Malaysians to stay in Singapore
Ismail also encouraged Malaysians to stay in Singapore if possible.
He said that all of them "cannot return at the same time" as it may overwhelm the system.
He said: "There could be 5,000 or 10,000 (returning Malaysians) in a day. It will be difficult for us."
did the right thing if I am minister in charge I will not let them come back too.
