KUCHING, May 20: Starting from June 1, Malaysians who are living overseas and returning home will have to pay 50 per cent of the hotel cost as part of their 14-day compulsory Covid-19 quarantine.
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said previously, the accommodation cost of RM150 per day was borne by the government.
“As for non-Malaysians, permanent residents, dependents or spouses and other status will have to pay 100 per cent of the cost the moment they arrive in the country and to be quarantined as well. This decision was made at the National Security Council (NSC) meeting,” he said during his daily press conference on Covid-19 non-health related issues in Putrajaya.
To ensure that these people pay up for the cost, Ismail said the NSC will require those who wish to return to Malaysia to sign a letter of undertaking in agreeing to pay for the quarantine cost.
He added that previously there were cases where non-Malaysian citizens such as spouses or family members refused to bear the cost for quarantine when the government had already informed that they would only bear the cost for returning Malaysians.
“Many of these people who were married to Malaysians were required to go for compulsory quarantine but they refused to pay for the cost. As such, the NSC came up with a new directive whereby these people are now required to sign a letter of undertaking,” he stated.
Ismail explained that the letter of undertaking can be signed at any Malaysian Embassies and High Commissions.
The office will then issue them a letter to permit them to return to Malaysia.
“At the same time, Immigration Department will be informed and they too will issue a letter directing airlines to inform passengers that they must have the letter,” he said.—DayakDaily
