PUTRAJAYA – Only cargo flights have been permitted to and from India since April 28, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong.
He said Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) passenger flights to and from the South Asian country have been prohibited since that date, following a decision made at a National Security Council (NSC) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
On claims that MAB flights from India are being allowed to enter Malaysia, Wee, in a statement today, said the MH-designated flight details that have gone viral are all cargo-only.
Converting passenger flights to cargo-only ones has been a practice for many months now due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he said.
“Flights on passenger aircraft are empty of people. They are used to carry freight, comprising pharmaceutical goods, medical supplies, mobile phones, electrical components and courier packages.”
He said the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, MAB cargo arm MASkargo, and Malaysian Aviation Commission can corroborate the matter.
Wee said he organised a virtual meeting and personally communicated with all stakeholders following the outcome of the NSC meet.
On the case of a worker from India with a valid pass entering Malaysia, Wee said he checked with Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, and it was verified that the incident occurred “much earlier”, on April 10.
“Non-Malaysian travellers from India are not allowed to enter, or even transit through, Malaysia at this time.”
However, he said, exceptions will be made for Malaysian citizens transiting through Malaysia from India without clearing immigration and customs.
It was reported that Dr Noor Hisham said Malaysia has detected the highly infectious “Indian strain” of the coronavirus with double mutations, or B.1.617.1.
It was found in an individual with a travel history to Mumbai who entered Malaysia on an employment pass on April 10. The patient tested positive at the international entry point the same day.
Wee said MAB is also restricting ground maintenance personnel in India from entering the relevant aircraft.
“All crew – pilots, engineers, and one cabin crew – remain onboard.”
He said foreign workers holding temporary work visit passes, business workers, and international students from India are subjected to the travel curbs.
Malaysian students and workers, their families, and non-Malaysian spouses returning to Malaysia from India are allowed, and must undergo a 14-day quarantine at designated centres, he said. – Bernama, May 3, 2021
