MP wants amnesty for undocumented migrants ahead of vaccine rollout
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.
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.
"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.
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kt notes:
It's staggering to learn that there are an estimated 3.5 million illegal immigrants in Malaysia.
But it's noteworthy the anti-Covid vaccine will be given to all including illegal migrants.
I am not sure what Charles Santiago meant by 'amnesty'.
Does that mean those illegal migrants can stay in Malaysia as converted legal migrants?
I think there is a difference between ensuring the safety of the nation by facilitating the vaccination of all residents, namely, citizens, legal residents or otherwise, but it's another totally different thing altogether to use this argument to legalise illegal migrants (3.5 million of them).
I reckon Charles Santiago, compassionate as he is, may be asking for too much.
This was the reason for Yiddin's rush-rush trip to Indonesia. To seek green light from Jokowi to grant instant citizenship to 3.5 million new Malaysian voters, then de-register UMNO....wallah....instant victory for Bersatu/PN in GE15.
ReplyDeleteI think the proposal is similar to what Biden has proposed in the USA , and it is sensible. Its the only way to get the illegals on board to achieve herd immunity.
ReplyDeleteGive the "illegals" the opportunity to come forward to be innoculated, with the assurance that no immigration enforcement action, e.g.arrest and deportation will be taken against them in the process.
If for example, they believe if they queue up for jabs, and they will simply be swept up by Immigration and deported , no way they will come out.
inoculating them and every citizen would be the aim BUT what does Charles Santiago mean by "amnesty"?
DeleteFull PR, citizenship, etc?
It's all a bleeding-heartish altruism of the f*cked thinking!
DeleteSometimes it has to be cruel to be kind. But how many has the heart to do so in the like of spurious humanistic populism?
Especially politikus of every hues!
Amnesty would mean PN govt pardoning a huge group ( 3.5 million?) for previous offences. I think the MP meant that. Once they know that they won't be punished or be deported, they will be willing to come out of hiding to be inoculated.
DeleteWhy not vaccinate all MPs first and isolate them so parliament can sit?
ReplyDeletepr or citizenship sound fine, we already hv first class n second class, now we can add one more class.
ReplyDelete