The Malaysian Insight

WISMA Putra has not been informed of Malaysians dying from or infected with Covid-19 in New York.

The Foreign Ministry today denied news reports that 10 citizens had died in the US state from the coronavirus and 30 more were infected.

Wisma Putra said the Malaysian consulate general in New York was constantly monitoring the crisis, particularly if Malaysians were involved, to ensure accurate information is disseminated.

It said in the case of the death of a foreigner on US soil, local protocol would require the American government to notify the respective embassy.

“However, the consulate has yet to receive any official report from any US government agency that any Malaysian has either died or been infected with Covid-19 in the United States.”
 
Wisma Putra urged Malaysians abroad to contact the Malaysian representative office to verify information.

The Star today quoted Malaysia Association of America (MAA) president Kim Bong as saying that two of the deceased were MAA committee members, one of whom owned a restaurant.

Kim said  the other MAA member who was dead was infected on the subway. A Malaysian couple in Brooklyn is among the virus deaths, the report added.

New York is the American epicentre of the coronavirus with more than 29,000 deaths and 350,000 infected. The United States has reported more than 100,000 deaths from Covid-19, the most fatalities from the disease than any other country in the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob in a daily media briefing said the Foreign Ministry was investigating the reports of Malaysians virus deaths in New York.

“Wisma Putra did not receive any information about the deaths of 10 Malaysians in New York. Whether it is true or not we do not know. The matter is being probed,” said Ismail.

He advised Malaysians abroad to call the Malaysian consulate if they need assistance during the pandemic.

“Call the consulate if you are in trouble. Inform us so that we can help.” – May 28, 2020.