Immigration to be roped in to handle migrants with Covid-19 on Semporna island

 

Many undocumented migrants on an island near Semporna are refusing to go to the mainland for Covid-19 treatment.

PETALING JAYA: The Covid-19 outbreak in Pulau Omadal, Semporna, is causing some problems for the authorities as it involves undocumented migrants who are reluctant to seek treatment on the mainland.

Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob said in view of this, they are roping in the Immigration Department to resolve this impasse as the matter was serious.

“This involves undocumented people. Because of this, it is not just the health ministry’s responsibility.

“It’s true that the health ministry will take action if they are found positive and will conduct the necessary screenings. But since this involves illegals, the Immigration Department has to be involved,” Ismail said during his daily press conference.

He added that the matter cannot be taken lightly and would be deliberated during the National Security Council (MKN) meeting tomorrow where it would get feedback from its Sabah office.

“We want to know whether it is suitable to set up a quarantine centre on the island as it is located 18km away from Semporna town.

“Finding a suitable location is one thing but getting workers there is another matter.”

On a call to reopen kindergartens in areas under the conditional movement control order (CMCO), Ismail said they would continue discussions with the health ministry on ways to help parents who still need to go to work in offices in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

He said despite the work-from-home rule for workers living in CMCO areas which was implemented last month, there were still many parents with children who had to work from their offices.

Meanwhile, on preparations for the monsoon season and possible flash floods in the east coast of the peninsula, he said the MKN was already discussing the matter.

“If floods occur, victims will need to be placed at flood evacuation centres, where they would then need to sleep on floors or in tents in packed locations while sharing toilets. This is very risky indeed.”

He added that infections could also occur during the evacuation process as the rescuers would need to carry children and the disabled. - FMT