THE Health Ministry has urged the 400 residents missing from Medan 88, Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi, Selangor to come forward and be screened for Covid-19.

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said these residents, who fled the area after an enhanced movement-control order (EMCO) was enforced today could be illegal immigrants.

“We think the ones that ran away from the area were illegal immigrants.

“This is because they might be worried that, after being screened, they will be arrested and enter the immigration detention depot and so on,” he said at a press conference in Putrajaya today.

An EMCO in Medan 88 started today and will continue until November 25, which would involve 88 shop lot units, 284 premises and 800 residents.

Noor Hisham said the authorities will somehow manage to trace these residents but advised them to come forward for screening to help in handling the infection.

Earlier today, Sepang District Disaster Management Committee said it would seek the aid of the police to detect those who did not return home after receiving information that barbed wires would be installed in the area for the implementation of the EMCO.

Its chairman Mohamad Zain A. Hamid said the number of those who did not return home were tallied following interviews with residents there who said their housemates or family members did not return soon after they found out about the lockdown. – November 12, 2020.