'Malaysians homeless in Singapore' - MP wants PM to act on 'national shame'

 

Klang MP Charles Santiago has lambasted the government following a report that some Malaysians working in Singapore have been forced to be homeless due to rising costs.

"This is a national shame.

"Malaysia should take care of its 'economic refugees' in Singapore. I heard that letters and phone calls to the high commission get no reply," he said.

Charles called on Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to instruct Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein to intervene.

"Please instruct your FM to get the high commission to provide help urgently," he added.

Charles was reacting to a report by the New Straits Times yesterday that at least 100 Malaysians working in Singapore have become homeless as they could not afford to rent a room or a bed.

Worker Shahruddin Haeal Helmy Mohd Noh said with an average monthly income of between S$800 (RM2,441) and S$1,400 (RM4,271), many could not afford to rent a bed priced between S$300-500 per month, or a room which was between S$700-1,200.

It was reported that the Malaysians were stuck in Singapore due to the need to maintain their livelihood and also because some employers set regulations that forced them to remain in Singapore despite the Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) facility to return to Malaysia.

Among the rules affecting their employability is the 14-day mandatory quarantine upon returning to Malaysia despite being only allowed to take short leave, and another round of quarantine when returning to Singapore.

Shahruddin who had been working in Singapore for six years said returning to Malaysia and undergoing a costly quarantine was not an option that many could afford.

The workers, he said would need to undergo screening and pay for the 14-day mandatory quarantine in Malaysia. 

"I was told that we need to pay RM2,200 for both quarantine accommodation and testing for Covid-19," said Shahruddin.

Due to these circumstances and prohibitive costs, some Malaysians have resorted to sleeping by the roadside or on public benches and bathing in public toilets while often skipping their meals. - Mkini