Malaysia "Cambodia Cruise, Random Sample Survey of Only 20 People Before Disembarkation Permission"

On the 14th, after granting disembarkation permission to the cruise ship Westerdam, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is seen welcoming passengers with bouquets [Photo by AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Malaysian government criticized the Cambodian health authorities for allowing disembarkation after conducting random sample tests on only 20 passengers from the cruise ship Westerdam, which had COVID-19 confirmed cases, after Cambodia permitted the ship to dock. Hun Sen, the Cambodian Prime Minister who authorized the docking and disembarkation of the Westerdam, now faces domestic and international criticism.

According to foreign media including CNN, on the 16th, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, stated, "Cambodia conducted random sample tests on only 20 passengers before allowing disembarkation. This is less than 10% of the total passengers," adding, "We do not want to argue over what others have done; we will focus on complying with our own health procedures." This was in response to Cambodia's request for retesting after a confirmed case was found among American passengers who had boarded the Westerdam, which Cambodia had permitted to dock and disembark.

Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah emphasized, "The positive diagnosis was confirmed through two tests," and "We are adhering to world-class health procedures." The Westerdam had departed from Hong Kong earlier this month but was refused entry by five countries due to concerns over COVID-19 spread, drifting at sea until it was allowed to dock at Sihanoukville Port in Cambodia on the 13th, with disembarkation permitted on the 14th. Subsequently, an American woman who arrived at Kuala Lumpur Airport by charter flight and was waiting for her return flight tested positive for the virus twice and was quarantined for treatment.

Following the confirmed case, the Malaysian government immediately canceled the remaining charter flights and banned the entry of Westerdam passengers. Hun Sen, the Cambodian Prime Minister who authorized the cruise ship's docking and personally greeted passengers at the port without wearing a mask while handing out bouquets, is now facing unavoidable domestic and international criticism.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.