KOTA KINABALU: Police are investigating claims that an undocumented Indonesian couple was arrested recently after getting their second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

       Penampang OCPD Deputy Supt Mohd Haris Ibrahim said police were aware of the government's policy to allow vaccination, even for the undocumented.

       "We have received information on the incident, which has gone viral, and are carrying out an investigation into the matter," he said when contacted on Friday (Sept 10).

       Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation, in a statement on Tuesday (Sept 7), said the couple was said to have been arrested at a traffic light junction and taken to the Penampang police station after checks showed their passports had expired.

       The couple claimed they were detained despite having explained the government's stance on vaccination.

       Following this, a legal representative from the organisation went to the police station to secure their release.

       The organisation said the incident would put a damper on the immunisation drive as illegals would be fearful of getting arrested when going or returning from the vaccination centres (PPV).

       It also thanked the police for investigating the matter.

       In a separate statement, Sabah Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister Shahelmey Yahya said non-citizens would be hesitant to go to the PPV to get vaccinated due to the fake news being circulated.

       He said recent feedback from PPV at Sabah's east coast showed a drop in immigrants, especially illegals, walking in to get vaccinated.

       "I want to assure that adults above 18 years old should not be afraid to go to the nearest PPV as no undocumented immigrants will be detained as claimed and circulated on social media," he said.

       He said such misinformation would affect the immunisation programme and hinder the target to achieve herd immunity.