Overseas travel allowed from Dec, says PM

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysians will not only be able to cross between states, but will also be allowed to travel abroad by December.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob gave this assurance during a special interview with senior editors of national newspapers at the Parliament complex last Friday.

He was reported today by Mingguan Malaysia as saying permission for international departures will be given after the country achieves a 90% full vaccination rate among its adult population. 

“Yes, December. It may be even earlier,” he was quoted as saying.

“We will open up the state borders to enable them to be crossed. Travel to other countries will also be opened up after we reach the 90% vaccination rate,” he added.

In a post on his official Twitter account yesterday, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said 86% of adults were fully vaccinated as of yesterday.

According to the Health Ministry’s CovidNow portal, 20,418,495 adults or 87.2% have completed their full inoculations against Covid-19 as at midnight yesterday.

In view of the rapid vaccination rate, Ismail Sabri expressed confidence that overseas travel would be allowed earlier than anticipated.

In fact, if the target is achieved in the next two weeks, it may be possible for international travel to be allowed then, he said.

He also stressed that people would no longer need to apply for the MyTravelPass (MTP) when the borders are reopened.

“We will no longer have to register for the MyTravelPass to leave the country but the conditions for quarantine remain the same,” he said, in reference to the requirement for those entering Malaysia.

He added that the government is in discussion with Singapore to allow daily workers from Johor Baru to cross the causeways to work in the island republic, as before.

This, he said, comes after the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) programme was suspended by Singapore. 

“I went to Johor last week and requested the menteri besar to have talks with Singapore for the RGL to be activated again.

“What is important is the commute for daily workers, hundreds of thousands of them. Singapore has still not reopened.

“It is important because there were those who moved to and fro between Johor Baru (and Singapore) and were suddenly not allowed (to cross). Many have suffered due to this for over a year.” – The Vibes, October 3, 2021