KUALA LUMPUR – A set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) on Malaysians working in Singapore has been sent to the Foreign Ministry and Health Ministry, said Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaacob in his daily briefing today.
The SOPs were drawn up by the Johor government and state Health Department on the resumption of daily commute to and from Singapore.
He said the SOPs will be brought to the negotiating table with their Singapore counterparts for further action.
“They (Malaysian and Singaporean ministries) must agree on the SOPs first.
“Only then can they talk about allowing cross-border commute.”
He said he also asked the National Security Council (NSC) to look into the current status of some 200,000 Malaysian workers employed in the city-state.
Some were reportedly unable to return home due to restrictions placed by the Singaporean authorities over health concerns.
Reports had also surfaced of Malaysian workers living in poor conditions in the island republic owing to its high cost of living.
“We currently don’t know if they (workers) are still working or have stopped, or are working without pay.
“We have asked the (NSC) to get more details on the problems faced by Malaysian workers who commuted to and from Singapore.”
Ismail Sabri also said Malaysians wanting to return from Singapore should not face any restriction, while foreign spouses of Malaysians are also allowed into Malaysia with the Immigration Department’s My Travel Pass. – The Vibes, November 23, 2020
