Malaysians in Singapore allowed to return for funerals but only for three hours, says Ismail Sabri

PETALING JAYA: Malaysians in Singapore are allowed to return to attend the funerals of their respective immediate family members without having to undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine period as it is considered an emergency.

According to Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, those who returned are only allowed to be at the burial ceremony for a maximum of three hours and they have to be clad in full personal protective equipment (PPE).

“They will be escorted by frontliners to their family members at the burial site for a maximum of three hours.

“After that, they will be sent back to Singapore, ” he said during his daily briefing on the conditional movement control order (MCO) on Tuesday (May 26).

Ismail Sabri said this was in line with present standard operating procedures (SOP) and such cases had happened before.

However, whether or not they will be subjected to quarantine upon their return, lies on the prerogative of the Singaporean authorities, said Ismail Sabri.

“It’s up to Singapore itself when they return, ” he added.

Previously, the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore was reported as saying that it was ready to assist a Malaysian woman bus captain who had made a heartfelt plea to return home for her husband’s funeral in a viral clip.

In the video clip, the Malaysian woman, who was behind the wheels of a bus, was inconsolable upon hearing news of her husband’s demise and could not continue driving.

She stopped her bus at a bus stop and was crying uncontrollably before she was assisted by bystanders.

The Singaporean bus operator, Tower Transit, has since told Bernama in an email reply that it is currently giving her support to go through this period.

The identity of the Malaysian woman is still unknown as at press time.