CORONAVIRUS | Over 200 undocumented migrants, believed to be Rohingya refugees, who reportedly landed near Langkawi yesterday would be quarantined for 14 days at a facility on the island.
At today's Covid-19 press conference in Putrajaya, Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government has to protect the group's interests as they have entered Malaysian waters.
"Since they have already arrived here, it is our duty to protect their interests.
"Therefore, they will be quarantined in Langkawi," he said when quizzed on their reported arrival near Teluk Nibong beach early yesterday morning.
"The Foreign Affairs Ministry, Immigration Department and the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) have been tasked to assist them and resolve any issues faced," he added.
According to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), 202 individuals including five children were detained and handed over to the Immigration Department.
At the same time, authorities are also investigating claims from the migrants that four individuals - the boat's skipper and three crew members - were behind a smuggling scheme that led to their attempted entry.
MMEA in a statement yesterday said the four individuals are believed to have escaped while at sea.
The Star earlier today reported that the landing yesterday was the second incident during the movement control order period, with the first wave of 252 Rohingyas said to have landed in Langkawi on March 18. - Mkini
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