Nine Malaysian tabligh members return from India - Wisma Putra

Nine Malaysian tabligh members arrived home safely from Kolkata, India today via an Air India Express flight, said Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar.

He said they were the fourth group to return, and so far, the ministry has brought back 124 out of the 189 members of the Malaysian tabligh group stranded in India.

"A total of 115 individuals have been repatriated earlier through three Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions on July 17, 22, and 29 respectively.

"All Malaysians who were brought home have to undergo a 14-day self-quarantine at the quarantine station set by the government," he said in a statement here yesterday.

He said the nine individuals had been placed under the supervision of the Indian authorities in the Haj House, in Kolkata since April 1 to undergo the quarantine set by the Indian government and the authorities did not file any charges against them.

Kamarudin said that to date, there are still 65 Malaysian tabligh members in India. Of this number, 13 are in New Delhi and still awaiting release and permission to return from the Indian government.

While the remaining individuals are in several provinces in India, namely Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and are undergoing the legal process.

Kamarudin said in line with the government's commitment to helping the tabligh group that is still stranded in that country, the ministry through Malaysian representatives in India will continue to monitor the issue closely and provide appropriate consular assistance to ensure their rights and welfare are protected.

"The ministry will continue to coordinate efforts to bring home tabligh members still stranded in the country immediately and safely," he added.

The 124 individuals brought back earlier were part of a 189-member Malaysian tabligh group who were unable to return to the country due to travel restrictions imposed by India to curb the spread of Covid-19.

-- BERNAMA