KUALA LUMPUR: Expatriates based in Malaysia are still barred from travelling abroad.
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government had received requests from expatriates and companies in Malaysia to allow them to travel overseas but would not be allowed to do so, for now.
"However, if they still insist of travelling outside the country, then they are not allowed to return to Malaysia until a certain date.
"We are being fair here. This applies to Malaysians as well. We only allow students who need to continue their studies abroad to leave the country," he said in his press conference here today.
Ismail Sabri who is the Senior Defence Minister said students returning to their tertiary institutions abroad do not require any special permission from the Immigration Department.
"They just need to show permission letter to return to the university at the immigration counter at the airport," he said.
On the capacity limitation for congregants at mosques and houses of worship, the Senior Minister said the government has allowed mosques to expand its capacity for Friday and congregational prayers based on their respective size and space to carry out prayers.
Ismail Sabri said standard operating procedure (SOP) set by the government has to be strictly adhered.
"Checks by the authorities found out that all mosques and surau followed the SOP.
"This also applies to other places of worship such as Churches. As for Sunday mass (in Churches), they have different masses in different languages for their congregations. They are allowed to conduct the masses but in shifts (take turns).
"They also need to adhere to the SOP given," he added.