Pulai and Johor Bahru MPs Salahuddin Ayub and Akmal Nasir said there were many Malaysians working in Singapore who were forced to return home after losing their jobs.

“A majority of them are workers who are just looking to put food on the table. Coming from Johor Bahru, Pulai, Gelang Patah, most of them travel on motorcycles. They’re also poor,” Salahuddin said in a press conference at Parliament today.

Akmal said some had not returned during the movement control order period as they were senior citizens, pregnant ladies and children who could not cross the causeway on foot.

He also said the RM2,100 quarantine fee which covers accommodation, food and drink had become burdensome for those who could not afford it.

He suggested that the Johor government bear the costs if Putrajaya decides not to, in the same way that Sarawak absorbs the quarantine costs for citizens returning from abroad.

“We urge the government to consider this matter and to take a more caring approach to protect the welfare of Malaysians,” he said.

Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob last month announced the end of home quarantine for those returning to the country after numerous incidents of non-compliance.

He said the full cost would be borne by those in quarantine, including the cost of Covid-19 tests.

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