Undocumented Workers: Malaysia to send back those who test Covid-19 negative
Malaysia will send back undocumented Bangladeshi migrant workers, who are currently at different deportation centres in the country, following Covid-19 tests.
Illegal immigrants who tested negative would be sent back to their respective countries, Malaysian Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob told Bernama, the country's national news agency, yesterday.
On the other hand, illegal immigrants who tested positive are being treated at a temporary hospital in the country, according to reports in Malaysian media.
One report published by The Star on Wednesday on its online version said there were 227 positive cases from three deportation centres in Bukit Jalil, Semenyih and Sepang.
Of the infected, 53 Bangladeshis tested positive, the highest cases from one country, it said.
Asked about the number of Bangladeshis at the deportation centres, Zahirul Islam, labour welfare counsellor at Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, said he cannot say the total number at the moment.
He, however, said some 244 Bangladeshis were at Bukit Jalil and Semenyih centres in April, adding that Malaysia has some 12-13 such centres all over the country.
Wishing anonymity, an official at the Bangladesh mission in Kuala Lumpur said the deportation could take place by arranging special flights amid air travel ban or via regular flights once air communication between the two countries resume.
According to the Bernama report, Sabri thanked three countries -- Indonesia, Nepal and Bangladesh -- for agreeing with Malaysian government's proposal to send the immigrants home.
"The foreign ministry will discuss with its counterparts in the three countries over the move," the report quoted Sabri as saying.
As of yesterday, 354 illegal immigrants who tested positive were taking treatment at the temporary hospital, added the Bernama report.
Meanwhile, The Star yesterday reported, quoting Sabri, that throughout the movement control order period starting from March 18, some 41 human traffickers were arrested while seven suspected smugglers were taken in by authorities in Malaysia.
Authorities also chased away three boats with 86 illegal immigrants aboard.
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