Mp Wants Amnesty For Undocumented Migrants Ahead Of Vaccine Rollout

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Klang MP Charles Santiago has lauded the government's move to provide free Covid-19 vaccination to undocumented migrants but said that they should be granted amnesty prior to the administration of the vaccine.
He made this point after the Immigration Department arrested many undocumented migrants last year despite initially promising no action against them if they came forward to get tested.
Charles told Malaysiakini that he did not want to see the group “tricked” once again, adding that there was an estimated 3.5 million undocumented migrants in the country.
“Providing vaccines for undocumented migrant workers should be welcomed, but it must come with an amnesty from immigration.
“For the immunisation programme to work, immigration must come out with a convincing statement and apologise for their earlier error," he said.
The lawmaker called for employers to be granted immunity as well to facilitate the process.
"Employers should not be charged for the offence of employing undocumented migrant workers," he added.


Yesterday, the government announced that the Covid-19 vaccine will be available to all those living in Malaysia, including non-citizens.
"The cabinet, which met last night, agreed that the Covid-19 National Immunisation Programme that will involve the vaccination of civilians living in Malaysia, will be free.
"This involves all groups including non-citizens residing here," said Health Minister Dr Adham Baba and Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin in a joint statement, made on behalf of the Special Committee on Covid-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee.
Khairy then clarified on Twitter that in principle the cabinet also agreed to provide the vaccines to undocumented foreigners for free. 
"The committee will be discussing further on how this can be implemented. We will be reaching out to state governments, foreign embassies and NGOs to assist," he said.
Last year, the Perikatan Nasional administration initially encouraged undocumented migrants to “come forward without any fear” and get tested for Covid-19, only for immigration to carry out a series of major raids on undocumented migrants in May.
To compound the matter, Covid-19 clusters formed at immigration detention centres. - Mkini

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