Ismail Sabri: Expect many things to be addressed by PM on Sunday

Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. – Bernama

PUTRAJAYA (Bernama): Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will make a special address on Sunday (June 7) that will touch on many matters related to the movement control order (MCO), says Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

"Plenty will be mentioned, so just wait for it," he said at the daily media briefing on the conditional MCO here on Saturday (June 6).

Ismail Sabri also said the government, in principle, had agreed with the standard operating procedures (SOP) on capacity expansion for Friday prayers and congregational prayers in mosques and surau tabled by Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri during Saturday's Cabinet meeting.

Ismail Sabri the SOPs will be announced soon after getting the consent from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Meanwhile, 2,189 Indonesian illegal immigrants, currently detained at Immigration Depots in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak, will be deported on Saturday, he said.

Ismail Sabri said the first phase of deportation also involves 672 illegals detained at depots in Sabah.

"The first group involves 450 illegals who will be sent back on three flights to Jakarta, Medan and Surabaya today (June 6), followed by another 445 to Jakarta, Medan and Surabaya on June 10 and 1,294 more scheduled for deportation on June 22," he said.

In the second phase, a total 2,623 illegals will be deported over the next two months, he said.

Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said several countries have also agreed to help bring home their citizens, including China, who currently has about 500 of its citizens in detention centres here.

He said all migrants in three detention centres have undergone Covid-19 screenings, and those tested positive have been sent to the Covid-19 Low-Risk Patient Quarantine and Treatment Centre at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park in Serdang for treatment.

Up to Friday (June 5), 675 illegals were being treated for the virus while 120 more have been discharged.

In a related matter, Ismail Sabri said from May 1 to yesterday, 393 foreigners and 72 skippers were detained under Op Benteng for attempting to enter the country through rat trails.

Ismail Sabri said also arrested were 11 suspected smugglers while 12 vessels were seized.

Enforcement agencies also managed to turn away 132 illegals and five skippers in 17 vessels attempting to encroach into Malaysian waters while 1,517 illegals were detained after managing to sneak in.

In another development, discussions will be held this Tuesday on whether to allow more economic sectors to be reopened, including pond fishing activities and boat services for anglers. – Bernama