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Malaysia is seeking to fully reopen its border with Singapore in January, Malaysian Health Minister Adham Baba said on Friday (September 11), according to a report by The Star.
The recovery movement control order period over the next four months would be an important moment for Malaysia as it would determine the possibility of fully reopening the border with Singapore, Dr Adham said.
A more systematic approach is required in areas such as border control and physical distancing, the minister said. “We cannot use a trial and error approach,” he added, according to the report.
The decision to reopen the border would have to consider people’s livelihoods, which were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Adham said.
“We must find a balance, as both the economy and health are very important issues,” he said at an event to pay tribute to the leaders in Johor Bahru.
He added that his ministry was looking to double its capacity to do swab testing for travelers under the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) schemes.
At the same event, Johor’s Chief Minister Hasni Mohammad said that the state government will continue to pressure the federal government to open the border with Singapore as soon as possible.
“Johor wants the border to be fully open for commuters and not just with the RGL and PCA. Before RGL and PCA, there was already movement between the two countries, with Malaysia shipping cargo containing medical and food supplies,” he said.
As of Aug. 31, 320 people had traveled to and from Singapore under the RGL and another 8,270 under the PCA, according to Hasni.
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