The government will ensure that the return of Malaysians from Singapore will be in stages and that they do not move in large groups.

Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan was also asked to consult with his Singapore counterpart on the issue of Malaysian workers in the republic.

"We have asked the Human Resources Minister to consult with his Singapore counterpart. Among the discussions are whether workers are granted leave without pay if they are to return home.

"We have also promised that if they come back ... it will be done in stages and not through a large group movement at one time," he said at a press conference here Wednesday.

Ismail Sabri said Singapore would still allow Malaysian workers to remain in the republic if their working premises were closed.

"So far, there has not been a large influx of people (Malaysians from Singapore) because the factories there are still operating. Even the workers in the closed factories are still given the opportunity by Singapore to stay there," he said.