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JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor state government will present a special plan for the early reopening of the Malaysia-Singapore border at the Causeway and Second Link to the federal government soon.
Johor’s Chief Minister Hasni Mohammad said the plan would be presented to the Economic Action Council on October 19.
“The plan will not only touch on the needs to reopen the border, it will also (consider) those who work in (Singapore) and the effects of investment in Johor, as well as those who intend to enter (to invest) in Johor.
“We need to explain why the measure (reopening of the border) was necessary, since we cannot continue in this situation since many of our people are affected, as is the business sector,” he told reporters after closing the Asia International Innovation Expo 2020..
READ: COVID-19: Malaysia is in no rush to open its borders, says Prime Minister Muhyiddin
READ: The Malaysian Ministry of Health studies the total reopening of the border with Singapore
In more detail, Hasni said that Johor had several reasons to consider the lawsuit and its special position, as the revenue from the two checkpoints contributes up to 50 percent of the Malaysian Customs tax collection.
“When we could not open the border, I have confidence and I believe that it would affect the collection of revenues from Customs in our country.
“Also, we were able to feel the direct effect when many residents living in Johor Bahru were unable to travel to and from work and other matters to Singapore,” he said.
READ: From shopping malls to hotels, Singapore places that have become quiet in Johor Bahru amid COVID-19
Earlier in his speech, Hasni said he was concerned that many businesses would be severely affected when checkpoints were not yet fully open in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The reopening of the border between Malaysia and Singapore has been an ongoing topic of discussion between the two countries, as employment and businesses have been affected.
READ: Generally smooth process at the Singapore-Malaysia border crossing on the first day of RGL, PCA
READ: COVID-19: PM Muhyiddin hopes Malaysia and Singapore can finalize procedures for daily commuting
On October 4, the Minister of the Prime Minister’s Department of Economic Affairs, Mustapa Mohamed, admitted that the discussion about reopening the border was on the federal government’s agenda despite the country now facing increasing cases of COVID. -19.
Malaysia reported 561 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, most of them in the state of Sabah, which has already seen a large increase in infections in recent weeks.
The new cases brought Malaysia’s cumulative count to 15,657 cases, according to the Health Ministry. Two new deaths were reported, bringing the death toll to 157.
According to Mustapa, the government understood that COVID-19 presented enormous risks. However, economic and health problems needed to be addressed to rehabilitate the economy.
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