‘We won’t focus on papers’

PETALING JAYA: The government reiterated its call for all participants, including undocumented migrants, of the tabligh gathering at the Sri Petaling mosque last month to come forward and get themselves screened for Covid-19.

Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the illegal migrants should not be worried about their status as the government had agreed not to look at their status as it focused on curbing the pandemic. He added that the police had identified almost 9,000 participants.

“I have discussed (this) with the Inspector-General of Police, even if they are Rohingya or others who do not have valid travel documents. What is important now is for them to come forward without any fear.

“We will not focus on their documents but whether they are positive with Covid-19. The most extreme case that could happen is they would be quarantined (for Covid-19). That is all (that can happen), ” he told the press yesterday.Ismail Sabri said there were still those who refused to come forward.

“We want to protect their health as well as that of their family members. This is because there had been reports of deaths of not just the tabligh members but also their family members. Please do not be scared to come forward, ” he said.

On Facebook Live, Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said four places were considered to be Covid-19 “red zones” – Lembah Pantai, Titiwangsa, Kepong and Cheras. These places, he said, would be put under intensive monitoring during the movement control order. - Star