MUAR – The Singapore government has been asked to consider the standard operating procedures on the reopening of the Malaysia-Singapore borders submitted by the Johor state government and approved by the federal government.
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad said the government’s decision to allow interstate travel starting yesterday must have affected Malaysians who are working in Singapore to some extent.
“(They must wonder) why they can’t return, travel interstate, or travel back home.”
He said the increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in Singapore should not stop it from discussing the reopening of the borders of the two countries with the Johor state government and the Malaysian government.
He told reporters this after a walkabout with padi farmers in Sg Balang, near here, during his visit to Muar today.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the government’s decision to allow fully vaccinated individuals travel interstate without obtaining police permits after Malaysia achieved the 90% Covid-19 inoculation target it had set under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.
In addition, fully vaccinated individuals are also allowed to travel abroad without going through the Immigration Department’s MyTravelPass effective yesterday.
Hasni said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had previously indicated that its ministry had discussed matters with Singapore, adding that the latter had asked for more time as it wanted to reduce the country’s positive Covid-19 cases before it could commence discussions on border reopening.
“(But) I think whatever the situation is in Singapore, the important thing is that we (Malaysians) have received the complete Covid-19 vaccine. That’s more important. To me, whether cases go up or down is not an issue. I believe Singapore recognises that (Malaysia’s vaccination rate).
“With full vaccination, we have to live with Covid-19. So I hope that if vaccination is accepted, border reopening will be possible,” he added. – Bernama, October 12, 2021
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