School bus operators have no right to demand fees, says Ismail Sabri

PETALING JAYA: School bus operators should not demand fees from parents as schools are still closed, says Senior Minister (security cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (pic).

He said operators should not demand fees for services not rendered.

"I will bring forward the matter to the Transport Minister, and he will issue a directive to school bus operators," he said on Saturday (May 9).

Ismail made the statement when asked to comment on complaints from parents who were asked to pay at least half the fee.

On protocols for nurseries and the challenges of social distancing, Ismail said the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry would issue the standard operating procedures based on the Health Ministry's advice.

He also said a poultry processing factory in Negeri Sembilan, a supermarket and a construction site in Ampang had been ordered to close after Covid-19 cases were detected.

A worker in the poultry processing factory tested positive for Covid-19. It has been learnt that the case was linked to the Pedas cluster.

"The supermarket was ordered to close after a security guard tested positive for Covid-19," he said.

The construction site in Ampang was also ordered closed after a worker tested positive.

"I want to stress to all that if a worker tests positive, and the Health Ministry feels its necessary to close operations, then the government will order the premises closed.

"We close the supermarket and poultry factory to carry out screening and disinfection exercise," he said.

On the vandalism case at a hotel in Sarawak used as a quarantine centre, Ismail said the hotel operator had a right to initiate action against the perpetrators.

He said this when asked to comment on a widely-shared video clip showing blatant acts of vandalism involving the "kayangan" group — that is, those returning from abroad.

"I heard they ruined bedsheets and stuff in the room. The hotel can take action," he said.

Earlier, Ismail announced that the Covid-19 Fund had attracted contributions amounting to about RM40mil.

He said RM100 per day would be paid to eligible Covid-19 patients and contacts during the quarantine period. - Star