Saarani said these businesses are preventing frontliners from buying essentials and food at their shops and have put up posters stating that they are barred from entering their premises.

He said the frontliners are mainly staff of the Kamunting Correctional Centre that was previously under an enhanced movement control order.

“This is like a punishment (for the frontliners). It is a mockery because those who come (to shop) are not Covid-19 positive. Those who are positive are under quarantine,” he told reporters.

“Those who can come out to buy essentials are those (who are) allowed to, and a large number of them are frontliners who have already undergone quarantine for 10 and 14 days, and their (Covid-19) wristbands have been removed.”

Saarani, who was visiting a roadblock at Changkat Jering here today, said people should not have any stigma against frontliners to the point of denying them essential goods and services.

“Don’t have the wrong perception about frontliners, including those serving as prison wardens or in detention centres,” he said, adding it was demotivating for those who were serving the people.

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