Malaysia's Health Ministry looking into fully reopening border with Singapore
12 September, 2020
Malaysia’s Health Ministry is looking into totally reopening the Malaysia-Singapore border for daily commutes, minister Adham Baba said on Friday (Sep 11).
He said that the program to reopen the border came after pressure from the general public, whose livelihood have been affected by the border closures.
“The extension of the Recovery Activity Control Order (RMCO) until December is an essential period for the ministry to look for the best time to permit the opening of the border for daily commuters,” Dr Adham told the media following the release of a Lego mural dedicated to COVID-19 frontliners at the Legoland theme park.
“This is because during this period, we will be able to assess and find valuable input from both countries, including methods to reduce COVID-19 infection.”
Dr Adham stressed that the ministry would utilise the info and follow the stipulated regulations to avoid statements of not doing its best found in controlling the condition and not taking care of the people’s well-being.
He added that the ministry is likely to double the quantity of swab tests conducted above the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and Periodic Commuting Set up (PCA) schemes.
Presently, 2,000 swab tests are completed daily beneath the PCA scheme and 400 beneath the RGL scheme.
Both schemes went into effect last month. Under the PCA, Singapore and Malaysia citizens or long term residents who carry long-term immigration passes for organization and work needs will be permitted to enter the other country for work.
The RGL, alternatively, allows Singapore and Malaysia residents to accomplish shorter-term travel for essential business and official purposes for 14 days.
On Sep 3, Malaysia’s Primary Minister Muhyiddin Yassin expressed desire that Singapore and Malaysia would shortly finalise arrangements for daily commuting of staff between both countries.
Johor’s Chief Minister Hasni Mohammad, who was simply also present at Friday's event, said the state would continue to push for reopening the border.
“I will continue steadily to urge the federal government not to consider the Green Travelling Bubble arrange for the Johor-Singapore border starting,” he said, adding that the relationship between Singapore and Johor is unique.
“That is why we do not hesitate to allow movements of lorries that carry food, medical supplies, imperative items and such, because here the human aspect is involved, and between Johor and Singapore things will vary.”
He also urged the government to consider this unique position.
Also present at the function was Malaysia’s Tourism, Arts and Way of life Minister Nancy Shukri.
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