A 17-year-old Singaporean, Muhammad Shafqat Ali, has alleged that he was forced to return back to Singapore on foot via the Causeway after being denied entry into Malaysia to meet his mother, Free Malaysia Today (FMT) reported.

He had reportedly been rejected by the authorities in Malaysia from entering the country on the grounds that he had not undergone a Covid-19 test.

This was despite him supposedly receiving confirmation from the Malaysia My 2nd Home (MM2H) Centre in an email, stating that he could enter the country and take a swab test upon arrival at the point of entry.

The MM2H scheme is a programme that allows foreigners who fulfil certain criteria, to stay in Malaysia for as long as possible on a multiple-entry social visit pass.

Has not seen his mother for three months

Muhammad Shafqat further alleged that he had not seen his mother for three months and was prepared to undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine for returnees to Malaysia, as well as pay for the cost of testing.

FMT further highlighted that Muhammad Shafqat had been in Malaysia since he was born and returned to Singapore on March 16 to enlist for his National Service on March 24.

Muhammad Shafqat claimed that he had initially been "very excited", with everything seemingly in order and "multiple confirmations (from MM2H) that I could cross, even on the day I was travelling".

Left in tears over incident

However, Muhammad Shafqat claimed that he was left in tears once he was told that he could not enter Malaysia.

This was despite him calling the MM2H officer who had sent him a confirmation email about testing, and having the MM2H officer speak to a Malaysian immigration officer.

Muhammad Shafqat also alleged that an officer from the Singapore High Commission in Malaysia, who happened to be there, had told Malaysian immigration officers that healthy individuals are not screened by Singapore.

The incident was criticised by Muhammad Shafqat's father who said there was a lack of communication and cooperation on both sides.

What did Malaysia say about the entry of people under MM2H scheme?

On June 15, a joint statement by the MM2H centre and Malaysia's Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) laid out the following procedures that MM2H participants must adhere to before returning to Malaysia with regard to Covid-19:

• Take a Covid-19 swab test and receive a negative result within three days prior to entering Malaysia,
• Undergo a PCR Covid-19 test upon arrival, if instructed to do so by Malaysia's Ministry of Health,
• Undergo a 14-day quarantine at home, and
• Download the MySejahtera app onto their phone to enable the Ministry of Health to monitor their health conditions.

In response to Mothership's queries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs replied:

"In Singapore, Covid-19 testing is guided by the national testing strategy focused on diagnostic testing and active case finding in the community, as well as active surveillance testing on targeted groups who are deemed vulnerable or who have a higher risk of exposure to Covid-19. The rationale of this policy is to conserve limited testing resources to support public health safety requirements in Singapore.

For now, pre-departure Covid-19 testing only applies to travellers under reciprocal arrangements negotiated with another Government, such as the Singapore-China Fast Lane.

MFA is aware of Muhammad Shafqat Ali’s case, and have been providing assistance to him. We understand that Muhammad Shafqat Ali successfully entered Malaysia yesterday morning (12 July)."

Top photo by Andrew Koay