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JOHOR BARU (THE STAR / ASIA NEWS NETWORK) – The Malaysian government will continue to discuss with Singapore the reopening of the border, although Malaysia has seen an increase in Covid-19 cases in recent days.
“The Economic Action Council always discusses this matter during weekly meetings. In the last meeting, the topic was the tourism sector, which is affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the closure of the border,” said the minister of De facto Economic Affairs, Mustapha Mohamad.
“The country lost about half of foreign tourists and about 50 percent of them came from Singapore, so we understand how the sector is affected,” he added.
Johor’s state ministers have been lobbying the Malaysian government to reopen the two land links between the two countries, as many Johoreans work in Singapore and Johor’s economy is also dependent on the influx of visitors from the south.
Datuk Seri Mustapha, minister in the Prime Minister’s Department of Economics, said the discussion with Singapore is led by Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.
“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,” Mustapha told reporters. “We are hopeful that when the time comes, the border with Singapore will be opened even in stages, as it would help bring Johor’s economy back,” he added.
Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad from Johor said late last month that the state government is unable to find employment for 100,000 Malaysians who may lose their jobs due to the prolonged closure of the border.
Borders have been closed to commuters since March 18, when Malaysia imposed a movement control order due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Datuk Hasni said Johor’s unemployment rate was already at a record 18 percent, with 35,000 people out of work.
The two countries partially reopened their border on August 17 under the Reciprocal Green Lane and Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) schemes.
According to the PCA, Malaysians and Singaporeans with a long-term social visit pass can cross the border for two weeks to a month if they have been in the country of their employment for the past three months.
Under the RGL scheme, those residing in Singapore can enter Malaysia for a maximum stay of 14 days for official or business purposes.
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