KUALA LUMPUR – A doctor working part-time for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has voiced unhappiness over alleged substandard conditions during his quarantine here, including having his personal belongings rummaged without his knowledge or permission.
Dr T Devarajan aired his outrage on his Facebook page over poor cleanliness and upkeep of his room and how food was delivered to him late.
He also stressed that it is inhumane to keep people cooped up in a closed room without access to fresh air.
In the post, he explained that he had flown to Auckland as a medical escort for a three-year-old Somalian refugee and the boy’s family.
The family had received refugee status from New Zealand whose government had also agreed to foot the child’s medical bill for a liver operation.
The medical professional questioned why certain items such as cigarettes, pork and alcohol are not permitted for those under quarantine.
“Items sent to me were taken away after they (officials) go through the item. They went through my personal item without my consent or my presence on the day I checked in,” Dr Devarajan complained.
When contacted by The Vibes, he said they had taken away a box of cigarettes that his daughter had sent to him along with his laptop and other clothes.
After searching high and low, Dr Devarajan contacted the hotel’s front office and they directed him to the security officers who told him that cigarettes, pork and alcohol are prohibited items during quarantine.
The irate doctor questioned the officer why the three items are prohibited when anyone can enter a grocery store or a market to purchase them. He claimed that he did not receive a satisfactory answer.
“The officer that I spoke to couldn’t even answer me when I asked why they said the three items were illegal. He couldn’t even tell me why they went through my belongings without my permission or under the supervision of someone I had appointed,” he said.
“No one briefed me (on the procedures when he landed). They just give me a piece of paper, with a QR code to scan on. And the bag, they asked me to scan the thing. They asked me to self-monitor my temperature and to follow the quarantine instructions.
“Yes, it stated there that there’s no vaping or smoking in the room but they didn’t say anything about alcohol or pork. And if they don’t allow people to smoke in the room or to get fresh air, then where are smokers supposed to smoke?” he asked.
Dr Devarajan’s complaints did not end merely with the service he received from the Malaysian authorities but also extended to a five-star hotel located near KLCC where he stayed for the quarantine.
“They refused to come and clean up my room. They refused to do my laundry. They were two hours late in sending up my lunch, even though I chose the premier option and had to fork out RM350 a day to be quarantined.
“On top of that, I found old food packets and food crumbs under the couch in my room,” he claimed.
When contacted, Health Ministry officials told The Vibes that quarantine procedures are managed by the National Security Council (NSC).
However, when contacted an unnamed NSC officer then said that quarantine management falls under the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma).
Nadma and the hotel in question could not be reached for comment at time of publication. – The Vibes, November 2, 2020.
