Alleged slow response to Covid-19 death sparks riot at workers quarters in Melaka

MELAKA: A senior Melaka police officer has warned foreign nationals that they will face the consequences of breaking laws on Malaysian soil.

Melaka Tengah OCPD Asst Comm Afzanizar Ahmad issued the warning after a riot at the foreign workers’ hostel at Pantai Puteri here on Thursday night (Aug 12).

The workers were supposedly unhappy with the alleged slow response from security guards in responding to a positive Covid-19 patient who had collapsed and died.

“We have yet to make any arrests and are still investigating the incident,” he said on Saturday (Aug 14).

ACP Afzanizar said anyone will face the full brunt of the law if they disrespect the law and engage in unsavoury activities.

In the 10.30pm incident, he said some of the workers had pelted stones at Health officials who came to the site on the same day in an ambulance.

They also attacked the security guard post at the hostel during the incident.

However, no injuries were reported while 670 workers were given the pink wristband after Covid-19 tests were conducted.

It was also learnt that police are in the midst of identifying those behind the incident and are expected to make arrests soon.

The hostel has four blocks and the residents were mostly Bangladeshis, Vietnamese, Myanmarese and Nepalese.

ACP Afzanizar added that the incident is currently being investigated under Section 148 for possessing weapons during the riot and Section 427 of the Penal for causing mischief.