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JOHOR BARU: The government will continue to discuss with Singapore reopening the border even though Malaysia has seen an increase in Covid-19 cases in recent days.
The Minister of the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy), Datuk Seri Mustapha Mohamad, said that the opening of the border with the island republic has always been addressed by both governments.
“The Economic Action Council (EAC) always discussed this issue during the weekly meetings. At the last meeting, the topic was the tourism sector, which is affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the closure of the border.
“The country lost about half of foreign tourists and about 50% of them came from Singapore, so we understand how the sector is affected,” he added.
Mustapha, who is also Jeli’s MP, said this during a press conference after paying a working visit to Larkin Flat here on Sunday (October 4).
He said the discussion was one of the main focuses and agenda of the government in an attempt to find a suitable solution.
“The discussion is led by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who is always in contact with his Singaporean counterpart on the issue,” he added.
Mustapha said that Johor was badly affected by the border closure, which Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad has raised many times.
He said that there were many locals who worked on the other side of the Causeway, while Singaporeans prefer to come here to travel and shop.
Since the border closing, it has impacted its economy, he added.
“We really understand that the Covid-19 pandemic has many risks and caused problems, but there must be a balance between economic and health problems.
“We are hopeful that when the time comes, the border with Singapore will be open even in stages, as it would help bring Johor’s economy back,” he added.
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