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KUALA LUMPUR – There are still unanswered questions over allegations of harassment of Istana Hotel guests who are undergoing quarantine there, despite the arrival of a Health Ministry official today.
Some of the guests going through quarantine at the hotel are unable to pay for the balance of their stay, said an employee, amid accusations of harassment by government personnel.
Adeline Ranjini, who helps repatriate citizens from India to Malaysia, was present at the hotel today, and insisted on getting clarification from the ministry on complaints filed by the guests.
Through her persistence, a doctor agreed to meet her at 2pm.
However, when a ministry official arrived, he said he could not answer questions linked to the allegations, only ones related to payments.
The Vibes was told that those in the B40 group are exempted from paying quarantine charges. However, the official said the guests here need to “pay first and claim later”.
When pressed for an explanation, the official, who did not want to be named or recorded, could not provide more information.
“I have checked with a few hotels here and they do not demand payment from those in the B40 group,” said Adeline.
She told The Vibes that she will not pay the bills until a report has been made and further clarification given by the ministry.
A hotel employee said ministry officials told the hotel that it is not authorised to issue statements on the matter.
It is understood that those quarantined at the building arrived from India via a Malindo charter flight on May 13.
Present was Batu MP P. Prabakaran, who spoke to guests via video conference.
Prabakaran told The Vibes that his next course of action is to invite family members of the guests to lodge a report tomorrow to ensure there is an investigation into the matter.
“The people have made a lot of accusations of harassment by government personnel.
“They face a lot of issues here, such as those who cannot pay (the balance) are being threatened with police detention. (Even) a senior citizen, as well as a mother with a 6-month-old baby, were threatened.
“Some even had their luggage forcibly removed from the hotel.”
Such actions are unjustified, he added, and urged the relevant government agencies to issue a clarification.
After his conference call with the guests, police entered the hotel telling Prabakaran and media personnel that there has been a complaint, and told everyone to leave.
An officer said the hotel is a Covid-19 red zone, adding that members of the public are not allowed entry.
However, when told that those present were waiting to meet a ministry official, the officer allowed them to remain.
Yesterday, The Vibes was alerted to accusations made by guests that government personnel have been harassing those who were not able to pay their bills at Istana Hotel.
Among the claims include a government personnel snatching away the phone of a man, and threatening a 68-year-old woman with police detention if she refuses to comply. – The Vibes, May 30, 2021
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