Putrajaya finally allows foreigners under MM2H programme to return
Foreigners under Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme will be allowed to reenter the country beginning tomorrow, according to the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.
The move is a special exemption as foreigners are barred from entering Malaysia since March 18 due to...
- Updated 3.40pm: Added quotes from Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Foreigners under Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme will be allowed to reenter the country beginning tomorrow, according to the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.
The move is a special exemption as foreigners are barred from entering Malaysia since March 18 due to the movement control order (MCO) to curb the spread of Covid-19.
"Malaysia has made a judicious decision to allow members of MM2H stranded abroad to return to their lovely homes in Malaysia, following the easing of the MCO imposed since March 18 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"In this regards, the stranded MM2H members may reenter Malaysia beginning from May 17 onwards.
"While the government welcomes home the stranded MM2H members, they have to comply with all MCO requirements.
"This includes a medical screening at KL International Airport and to observe a 14-day quarantine at the quarantine station and to bear the accommodation cost at the respective quarantine station," Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Nancy Shukri (photo) said in a statement.
Nancy said based on her ministry's records, 253 people, including their dependents, have been stranded abroad and requested to return to Malaysia.
They were not allowed to reenter Malaysia due to a blanket ban on foreigners under the MCO even though they reside in Malaysia under the MM2H programme.
Malaysiakini previously highlighted the desperate situation some MM2H members have faced while stranded abroad with a family stating that they no longer want to be part of the programme and only wish to collect their belongings in Malaysia and leave.
Nancy said the government is concerned and share the plight of MM2H members stranded abroad during the MCO.
"We hope they understand the challenges faced by the government in dealing with the scourge of Covid-19 that had been spreading rapidly throughout the country.
"The government has given its utmost priority to protect the populace including the MM2H community from the scourge of Covid-19, as well as to secure Malaysia's borders from the spread of the virus.
"The prompt and effective approach undertaken by the government helped to contain and flatten the curve of the pandemic," she said.
Nancy said the government wishes all MM2H members a safe journey back to their second home in Malaysia to be united with their loved ones.
Later, Defence Minister Ismail Sabri elaborated on the measure in a press conference in Putrajaya, stating that all MM2H members who wish to return to Malaysia must first get themselves tested for Covid-19.
He said they must present a medical letter to state they are free of Covid-19 to be allowed into the country.
Furthermore, he said they must foot the cost of their own 14-day quarantine. It is free for Malaysians.
In a related development, he said tour agencies will now be allowed to operate, but only for administrative purposes as tourism activities are still not allowed during the conditional MCO period.
"They are allowed to promote tour packages but only as preparation before the government allows tourism activities again. For now, it remains a forbidden activity," he said.
On complaints on tour agencies refusing to refund trips that have been cancelled due to Covid-19, Ismail said it was a contractual matter between the buyer and tourism firm but urged them to act on humanitarian grounds.
"It is between the business and its customers. They need to talk to the tour agencies... Perhaps, the trips can be carried forward so the customers and tour agencies do not suffer a loss.
"I have spoken to the tourism minister to see how they can help," he said.
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