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Kota Kinabalu: Citizen Pala’u or sea gypsy children who loiter here against SOPs to curb Covid-19 will be picked up and placed at a Welfare facility for character building, said an official.

Sabah’s Covid-19 crisis spokesman Datuk Masidi Manjun today said sea gypsy kids caught during the Conditional Movement Control Order will be placed at the Pusat Bina Jati Diri or Character Building Centre under the Community Welfare Department.

“Meanwhile, those Pala’u who are not citizens and without valid documents will be handed over to the Immigration Department and placed at its detention centre,” said Masidi in response to the media’s questions on the issue.

“If there is a need, the State Government will work with the Ministry of Health to test them (for Covid-19) during the CMCO period.”

According to the Community Welfare Department’s website, such Jati Diri facilities aim to expose admitted children to activities, usually outdoor for three days, that motivate and heighten their character so they become positive-thinking kids.  

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