KUANTAN: The Genting cluster in Bentong only involves foreigners in the construction sector and has no connection with the Genting Highlands resort .
Pahang deputy police chief Datuk Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said the foreigners were those hired by contractors for various projects near the popular highlands resort.
"The migrant workers including those from Bangladesh, Indonesia and Nepal were outsourced workers employed by a third party or contractor for various jobs at the nearby sites. The foreigners are not on the resort's (Genting Highlands resort) payroll.
"So far, no locals have tested positive in the Genting cluster. The authorities have cordoned off the affected area and carried out mass screening... strict measures have been taken," he said when contacted.
The New Straits Times has also sent an email to Genting Malaysia Bhd for comments. However, the company has yet to respond.
The Genting cluster surfaced after a Bangladeshi crossed state borders from Selangor to visit his friends in Genting Highlands and ended up infecting them.
Meanwhile, a Genting Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said the migrants workers did not only occupy the wooden workers' quarters in Kampung Semaut but also stayed at the Amber Court and Ria apartments.
"Their employers have rented apartment units for their workers who are mostly involved in the construction sector. Some are waiting for the outcome of their test results and if positive, then they will be moved to (the Covid-19 Quarantine and Low Risk Treatment Centre) either in Kuantan or Serdang, Selangor.
"So far two batches (of those who tested positive) left on Dec 11 (to Kuantan) and Dec 13 (to Serdang), and they were transported in buses and vans," he said.
However, it remains unclear on the total number of migrants occupying the three places, namely Ria Apartment, Amber Court Apartment and Kampung Semaut, which have been placed under Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) from Dec 10 to 23.
Yesterday, Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Abd Jalil Hassan was reported as saying 2,363 residents in the three places gave their full cooperation and complied with the prescribed EMCO rules.