COVID-19: Opposition hopes govt will bear quarantine costs for qualified citizens

Opposition Members of Parliament today hope the government can consider picking up the tab for the cost of swab test and quarantine for COVID-19 for qualified citizens especially those working in Singapore.

Pulai Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said the quarantine cost of RM2,100 was a burden to the workers who could not afford it.

Salahuddin, who is also Parti Amanah Negara (AMANAH) deputy president, said that there were some from among Malaysian citizens who were forced to return home due to financial constraints or over security issues.

''We hope the government can consider the matter because the workers constitute the poor who are seeking subsistence in Singapore,'' he told reporters at Parliament, today.

Johor Bahru Member of Parliament Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the state government must take the responsibility of paying the cost of quarantine, as done by the Sarawak government, if the federal government did not do so.

The government decided that all Malaysians returning from abroad and foreign citizens entering Malaysia must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine at quarantine stations decided by the government from July 24.

Every individual undergoing the mandatory 14-day quarantine at a quarantine station would incur RM4,700 in costs.

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was quoted as saying that each Malaysian undergoing quarantine must pay a maximum RM2,100 or 44.7 per cent in hotel room charge and three meals a day.

The government would bear the balance of RM2,600 or 55.3 per cent including transport charge from the border entry gate to the quarantine station, costs of food and drinks, self protection equipment of the health, security and secretariat personnel and the cost of cleaning and decontamination at the quarantine station.

-- BERNAMA