EMCO: Malaysian government's approach praised by foreign missions

There were mixed feelings and hot online debates among netizens on whether Malaysia should be responsible for the foreign nationals, and some of the netizens were further irritated when police received a report against some residents at the Selangor Mansion for allegedly throwing items such as garbage bags at Malaysian Armed Forces personnel installing concertina wires in the area.

However, the Malaysian government's approach to dealing with those foreign nationals residing at the three buildings have been praised by the respective foreign missions, and they all continue to work closely with the authorities while assisting their people facing the difficulties.

It is important to note that the EMCO was imposed on Selangor Mansion and Malayan Mansion, involving 365 residential and commercial units, upon the advice of the Health Ministry (MOH) after 15 COVID-19 positive cases were recorded at the two buildings, and it applies until all residents are screened for COVID-19 by MOH officials and sanitisation work are carried out.

On the other hand, the EMCO was enforced at Menara City One following the detection of 17 COVID-19 positive cases at the condominium, which has a total of 3,200 residents staying in 502 units and business premises.

The Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysian Armed Forces, Civil Defence Force, the Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL) and RELA have been administering the area to ensure residents' compliance with the EMCO, and the residents have been assured that they can ask operation centres in the area to help them buy food if they wanted to do so.

As the EMCO prohibit residents from leaving and outsiders from entering the area, Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said those who require food assistance will be provided with at least two meals a day.

He said while Foreign Embassies are responsible for their own citizens' need under normal circumstances, the Ministry has taken extra measure to rally for assistance from Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and corporations as well as caring individuals to help those in need even if they are not Malaysians.

Investigation and census revealed that most of the units in the Selangor Mansion and Malayan Mansion are occupied by foreigners and they are without a kitchen, Annuar said.

According to his Facebook posting, it can be seen that sponsors include Telugu Association Malaysia and the JAWI Food Bank programme. Many in the comment section applauded the humanitarian efforts as they could empathise with these foreign nationals whose livelihood could be affected due to various restrictions related to the pandemic.

Meanwhile, it is important to note that among the first thing the government did after listing the premises under EMCO was to notify the respective foreign embassies to assist their nationals residing in the three premises.

In this context, a diplomatic source at the Indian High Commission in Malaysia told Bernama that they are working closely with Malaysian authorities to provide necessary assistance to their citizens at Malayan Mansion and Selangor Mansion.

The source said that on April 16, a representative from the High Commission assisted the Malaysian government in its efforts to reach out to Indian nationals residing in Selangor Mansion; and through a loudspeaker, the representative assured the residents at the Mansion of necessary support from the High Commission and the Malaysian authorities, and also advised them to fully cooperate with the Malaysian authorities.

"They were also advised to take the COVID-19 test and assured that all COVID-19 patients will be given requisite treatment. Indian nationals were further assured that the Malaysian Government would, given the current circumstances, assist those whose work permit and visas are expiring during this period," the diplomatic source said.

The source said they were also assured that the High Commission was constantly monitoring the situation and that there was no need to be worried, and that all basic necessities would be made available, as required.

"We had meetings with Malaysian authorities on how best to help our nationals. We truly appreciate the assistance and support given by the Malaysian authorities and agencies, NGOs and the Malaysian public to our nationals currently staying at the two buildings," the diplomatic source said.

The source said the High Commission is in constant touch with their Indian nationals at these two mansions, and its round-the-clock emergency mobile number was also shared during the loudspeaker announcement, and that they were advised to contact the High Commission in case of need.

The diplomatic source further said that the Indian nationals at these buildings have been advised to stay put at where they are now. "These are for their benefit. If they go out, there is a lot of risks," said the diplomatic source.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia said that they appreciate the level of assistance the Malaysian government extended to the foreign nationals staying in the Selangor Mansion, Malayan Mansion and Menara City One. There are 319 Bangladesh nationals in Selangor Mansion, and 44 at Malayan Mansion.

"The Malaysian Government has been proactive in containing COVID-19 in these three buildings. They were quick to enforce EMCO over there. The infected people got timely health check-up and proper treatment which prevented further spread of the virus. To keep the food supply running, the Government also took every necessary step. The Mission has also taken situation on board to maximise the effort. It is truly amazing and (we) appreciated that the Malaysian authorities treat these people with a humane approach, (which is) what matters most in this time of crisis," the High Commission told Bernama in a reply.

The Bangladesh High Commission is also actively engaged with the Malaysian authorities to extend support to its nationals there.

"The Mission is attending numbers of Crisis Management meetings from the beginning to ensure support for our citizen. Mission has already contributed RM20,000 in this effort. The High Commission is actively cooperating with the Malaysian authorities," it said.

On the assistance given to Bangladesh nationals, the High Commission said dry food baskets have been distributed in Menara City One as it has cooking facilities so that the residents can cook their own meals.

"In the other two building, as there are limited cooking facilities, ready meals are being served there three times a day. And so far, we have received no complaint about the foods served there. To ensure the supply of foods, the Malaysian Government, NGOs and the High Commission are cooperating (with) each other", explained the Bangladesh High Commission.

Meanwhile, the Nepal Embassy in Malaysia is cooperating well with Malaysian authorities in assisting some 70 Nepali citizens at these three buildings.

The embassy, in a reply to Bernama, said that a diplomat from the embassy also visited the area of the three buildings recently to observe the situation on the ground and the embassy is in touch with their nationals, among others through phone calls.

"We are cooperating well with the Federal Territories Ministry, Wisma Putra and other agencies on how best to help our people in whatever possible way," said the embassy.

The embassy said they are satisfied with the way the Malaysian authorities, such as the police and DBKL, handle the overall situation at the three buildings.

"They are people-friendly and very cooperative," the embassy said.

"So far, our people are in satisfactory conditions. Adequate raw food supply for now. Some are receiving from the Malaysian authorities, some from a hypermarket, from NGOs and from us... We are in standby to help them if they are facing shortages of the food supply."

Pakistan High Commissioner to Malaysia Amna Baloch told Bernama that the High Commission is working closely with the Malaysian authorities on the matter.

"We highly appreciate the efforts being undertaken by the Government of Malaysia to proactively manage the situation in the wake of COVID-19 and will extend all support to its efforts," she said when contacted by Bernama.