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Only Malaysians certified free of Covid-19 can return home from Singapore, says Malaysia's senior minister

KUALA LUMPUR — Senior minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said on Monday (April 6) that Malaysians working in Singapore can only return if they have been certified free of the Covid-19 infection by Singaporean health authorities.

Despite thousands of Malaysians in Singapore waiting to return home, senior minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said only three person have crossed the border so far.

Despite thousands of Malaysians in Singapore waiting to return home, senior minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said only three person have crossed the border so far.

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KUALA LUMPUR — Senior minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said on Monday (April 6) that Malaysians working in Singapore can only return if they have been certified free of the Covid-19 infection by Singaporean health authorities.

He said that this is the initial agreement between the Malaysian and Singapore governments — that those returning must be screened for Covid-19.

“Our instruction is that they can’t return unless they get approval that they are free from Covid-19 from the Singapore government,” he said at a press conference on Monday afternoon.

“After going through the screening process they have to get a letter from the Singapore authorities that they tested negative for Covid-19. Only then they are allowed to return. This is our agreement,” he added.

However, Mr Ismail pointed out that there may be some changes in the rules set by the working committee formed by the ministries on both sides.

“The working committee can negotiate on the rules set in the initial agreement. Hopefully, the foreign ministry will inform the new rules, which has been agreed by both the governments tomorrow,” he said.

Despite thousands of Malaysians in Singapore waiting to return home, Mr Ismail said only three people have crossed the border so far.

In response to media queries, Singapore's Ministry of Health said that Covid-19 testing is "performed, when clinically indicated, for patients and close contacts of patients".

"There is currently no requirement by the Government of Singapore for foreigners exiting Singapore to be swabbed for non-clinical grounds," the ministry added.

Separately, Mr Ismail also said that the Rohingya who were detained for landing in Pulau Langkawi will not be sent back immediately, but will be quarantined.

“Since they are already in our waters, it will be (our) responsibility to look after their interests.

“Therefore, they will be quarantined in Pulau Langkawi. The foreign ministry, the Immigration Department and National Disaster Management Agency have been assigned to assist them,” he said. MALAY MAIL

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