PETALING Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah has called for a stop to the arrest and detention of migrants and refugees, warning this may prevent them from coming forward for Covid-19 testing.

“I again urge the authorities to also test migrants and refugees, regardless of their status. Over the past few weeks, we have seen an alarming trend of migrants being rounded up and detained.

“If this carries on, we will see more and more refugees not wanting to seek help from the authorities as they fear being detained, whether they test positive or negative for Covid-19,” she said in a statement.

There have been raids targeting undocumented migrants in two Klang Valley locations this month, despite the government’s assurance in March, when the movement-control order (MCO) took effect, that the group would not face action and were, in fact, encouraged to step forward to get screened for the deadly virus.

The raids were conducted in Jalan Masjid India on May 1 and the Selayang wholesale market on May 11.

“Now is not the time to be going after migrants, including children, by rounding them up or detaining them,” said Maria.

“The authorities should instead encourage migrants and refugees to come forward to get tested without fear.”

She also reported on the situation of people subjected to the enhanced MCO (EMCO) in PJ Old Town.

Using funds raised by her office, and in coordination with assemblymen in the constituency, food supplies have been delivered to residents, among them migrants, she said.

“Within the first 12 hours of the EMCO, we managed to provide our first batch of essential supplies to residents with the help of the Welfare Department and Rela. We provided each household with 12 items, including packets of rice, canned food, milk, bihun, instant noodles and cooking oil.”

Her office has distributed food to the affected area thrice since the lockdown came into force.

“Our next distribution will be on Tuesday, May 19, when we will give out chicken and vegetables. Working with the Welfare Department, bread and kaya will be distributed on Saturday.”

She added that her office has received donations from sponsors, including United Nations refugee agency UNHCR, Imaret, Sin Chew Foundation, Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, Hasanah Foundation and Journey.

“The donations came in within hours of the call being made.” – May 16, 2020.