As the government ramps up coronavirus tests in Malaysia, the real challenge will be getting the refugee community to come forward and get the screening.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Head of Mission in Malaysia, Beatrice Lau said although the government has allowed undocumented foreigners, suspected for COVID-19 to be tested, there is still fear among them.
“We have witnessed how the fear of being reported to Immigration services has deterred many refugees from seeking proper and timely treatment,” she said in a statement.
MSF, therefore, calls for an unequivocal repeal of Circular 10/2001 by the Ministry of Health.
“They have been living under a constant threat of arrest when visiting healthcare facilities since Circular 10/2001 was first put in place almost 20 years ago.
“This repeal can prevent similar delays in healthcare-seeking in the future, ensuring effective public health for the entire population” she explained.
MSF also acknowledges and commends the announcement by Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri to neither look into the status nor take any action on those in the country without legal status.
Chair of the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network's Rohingya Working Group Liliane Fan also welcomes this move by the government, saying: "This is an important step, as these communities often live in fear. This a really huge effort that needs to take place,"
Fan also reiterates the need for awareness and outreach towards the asylum-seeking population in Malaysia which includes the refugees and the undocumented migrants.
"We've done a lot of work to explain to these communities that they can receive free tests and treatments.
"We actually had to do lobby government and tell them 'Look, it's really important that a clear statement is given and that nobody is going to get arrested for lack of documentation.' The priority now is health, and health only," Fan said on 'Consider This' on Thursday.
On Monday, the authorities said it is trying o track down an estimated 3,800 tabligh participants comprising Rohingya refugees and illegal immigrants who attended a religious gathering in Masjid Sri Petaling.
Dania Zainuddin
Fri Mar 27 2020
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Head of Mission in Malaysia, Beatrice Lau said although the government has allowed suspected undocumented foreigners to be tested, there is still fear among them. - File Photo
'Saya perlu dapatkan semula keyakinan diri' - Zii Jia
Lee Zii Jia mengakui perlu mendapatkan semula keyakinan diri selepas tewas kepada nombor satu dunia Viktor Axelsen semalam.
Selangor sasar noktah miskin tegar Julai ini - MB
Majlis Tindakan Pembangunan Negeri Selangor merekodkan sejumlah 861 keluarga masih berada dalam kategori miskin tegar.
Mesir-Perancis bincang gencatan senjata, bantuan kemanusiaan di Gaza
Mereka menekankan keperluan segera untuk gencatan senjata dan membincangkan beberapa inisiatif yang bertujuan menyelesaikan krisis tersebut.
Kitaro di Festival Muzik Hutan Hujan Dunia 2024
Kitaro bakal membuat persembahan pada Festival Muzik Hutan Hujan Dunia (RWMF) 2024 pada 28-30 Jun ini.
PH kerja keras pertahan DUN KKB, tidak mahu berasa selesa
Walaupun berjaya menguasai kerusi Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) selama tiga penggal sejak 2013, namun ia bukanlah tiket untuk Pakatan Harapan (PH) berasa selesa.
MDKpr nafi curi haiwan ternakan dalam kandang
Ahmad Suqairy berkata haiwan itu ditangkap dalam operasi oleh Bahagian Penguatkuasaan MDKpr pada 23 Apr lalu di kawasan Kolej TAR.
488 acara dipertandingkan di SUKMA Sarawak 2024 - MSN
Jawatankuasa Tertinggi Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) secara rasmi bersetuju menawarkan sejumlah 488 acara dipertandingkan pada temasya SUKMA Sarawak 2024.
Petronas Dagangan catat jualan lebih 16 bilion liter bahan api pada 2023
PDB merekodkan peningkatan perolehan sebanyak dua peratus didorong jumlah jualan lebih tinggi dan keuntungan selepas cukai yang meningkat.
Aset rizab rasmi Malaysia berjumlah AS$113.76 bilion pada akhir Mac - BNM
Aset rizab rasmi Malaysia berjumlah AS$113.76 bilion pada akhir Mac 2024 manakala aset mata wang asing lain adalah US$1.61 bilion, kata Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
Kemunculan Momota di gelanggang pastinya dirindui - Pemain badminton dunia
Momota bakal bersara daripada arena sukan badminton antarabangsa selepas Piala Thomas 2024 yang sedang berlangsung di Chengdu.
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
Doctors Without Borders desak gencatan senjata, beri penghormatan kepada rakan terkorban di Gaza
Kakitangan badan bukan Kerajaan Doktor Tanpa Sempadan (MSF) yang berpangkalan di Paris berhimpun di luar bangunan Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) di New York sebagai tanda penghormatan.
Doctors Without Borders terputus hubungan dengan wakil di Gaza
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) pada Jumaat menyuarakan kebimbangan mengenai situasi di Gaza dan kumpulan itu kini terputus hubungan dengan beberapa rakan sekerja di lapangan, lapor Agensi Anadolu.
Undang-undang antarabangsa tidak benarkan kemudahan perubatan diserang - PBB
Serangan ke atas kemudahan perubatan adalah dilarang di bawah undang-undang kemanusiaan antarabangsa, kata Pejabat Pesuruhjaya Tinggi untuk Hak Asasi Manusia (OHCHR) pada Sabtu, lapor Agensi Anadolu."
26 maut dalam letupan di lapangan terbang Yaman
Walaupun semua menteri kerajaan dilaporkan selamat, lebih 50 mangsa tercedera.
Mental health in Shatila Camp - Illustrations by Ella Baron
Seven powerful illustrations by cartoonist Ella Baron during her assignment with The Guardian in Shatila refugee camp, Lebanon.