KUALA LUMPUR: If the federal government is unwilling to cover the quarantine costs for poor Johoreans who want to return from Singapore, the Johor state government has the responsibility to do so.
Akmal Nasir (PKR - Johor Baru) said the Johor administration should emulate the Sarawak state government which bears the total quarantine costs for all Sarawakians returning to the state.
"Why is it that Sarawak can still cover the quarantine costs for its people who returned from overseas? For the situation in Johor, if the federal government is unwilling to bear the cost, why won't the Johor state government take on the responsibility?
"We urge the government to look into this matter and take a caring approach in defending the people's welfare," he said during a press conference at the Parliament lobby here today.
Also present was former Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub (Amanah - Pulai) who also urged the government to help the poor Johoreans with the mandatory swab test for Covid-19.
"There are Johoreans who are still stranded in Singapore and I am talking about those in the (B40) group.
They can barely pay for their accommodation in Singapore and now that they want to come back, they also can't because the quarantine cost in Malaysia is RM2,100 per person.
"I really hope the government will consider helping these people," he said.
On July 29, Senior Minister (Defence) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the payments for the quarantine were for hotel room charges and the cost of three meals per day.
He said the total estimated cost for quarantine at designated stations was RM4,700 per person.
While Malaysians are enjoying a 44.7 per cent subsidy, Ismail said foreigners who were allowed to return to Malaysia will be compelled to bear the full cost of the quarantine charge.