[ad_1]
JOHOR BAHRU: The reopening of the Malaysia-Singapore border remains an agenda and focus of the federal government in its discussions with the republic despite the increase in Covid-19 cases, a federal minister said today.
Mustapa Mohamed, de facto Minister of Economic Affairs, said the government was aware of the many risks posed by the pandemic, but felt that there should be coherence between the economy and health when it comes to the revival of the economy.
“We are aware that Johor has been affected by the closure of the border. This matter was raised several times by the Menteri Kissing (Hasni Mohammad) and was constantly being deliberated at the federal level.
“In fact, the Economic Action Council meeting on Monday focused on tourism, as 50% of our tourists are from Singapore,” he told reporters here today.
Mustapa said the border closure meant there would be no Singapore tourists or shoppers in Johor as long as Malaysians couldn’t cross and work in the republic.
“However, we hope that the border will eventually reopen, depending, of course, on the situation, as we recognize that certain issues need to be considered.
“We hope that the border will be opened in due time, although not entirely, but in stages as this will help to revive Johor’s economy,” he said.
