HOME Minister Hamzah Zainudin is contradicting cabinet colleague Minister of Science, technology and Innovation Khairy Jamaluddin on how the government will treat undocumented migrants during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Malaysian Bar said.

President A.G. Kalidas said Hamzah’s recent statement that law enforcement would pursue undocumented migrants during the hard lockdown, which started today and will last until June 14, was of concern as it was contrary to the assurance Khairy, as co-ordinating minister of the national Covid-19 immunisation programme, gave that no arrests would be made if undocumented migrants came forward for vaccination.

“We sincerely hope that the government will not renege on the assurance made by the Khairy in guaranteeing that undocumented migrants will be spared.

“We fear that migrants will evade the authorities and refuse to seek medical treatment or vaccination, for fear of arrest.

“It is crucial to foster trust and confidence between the government and migrants to ensure that they will come forward,” Kalidas said in a statement.

Mass arrests could expose undocumented migrants to the coronavirus, and holding them in prisons and detention centres could lead to new virus clusters, he added.

“The Malaysian Bar urges the government to show empathy and compassion, and allow all migrants — without regard to their immigration status — to have access to testing, treatment and Covid-19 vaccination without the fear of arrest or detention.  

“It is during these dire times that the government should be compassionate towards migrants, which represent one of the most vulnerable groups in our country,” Kalidas said, adding that there are numerous reasons to explain the presence of undocumented migrants.

They are not necessarily at fault in some cases, such as when their permits expire but could not be renewed due to movement restrictions, or their employers failed to renew their permits on time.

“Further, with borders closed, there are migrants stranded in Malaysia as they are unable to return to their home countries,” Kalidas said, adding that a sustainable solution is needed to look at issues holistically.

“This is not the time for the government to penalise undocumented migrants.

“With the country facing surging numbers and economic difficulties, the government must channel resources and manpower, expediting the vaccination process to achieve herd immunity to combat the Covid-19 pandemic collectively as a society, regardless of nationality.” – June 1, 2021.