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JOHOR BAHRU: The decision by both governments to implement Singapore-Malaysia cross-border travel schemes, the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and the Periodic Commutation Agreement (PCA), was the correct one, said Johor Chief Minister Hasni Mohammad.
He also emphasized that future arrangements that facilitate daily commuting will depend on the rate of compliance with security protocols.
Speaking with CNA in an exclusive interview on Thursday (Nov 19), Mr. Hasni noted that since the PCA and RGL were implemented in August, the number of Malaysians and Singaporeans crossing the ground checkpoints in Johor has ” greatly increased. “
“It is a wise decision for the government to allow (to resume) the trip in stages. Looking at the numbers in the RGL category, we noticed that it helps many entrepreneurs and corporate people to continue with their routine, ”he said.
“And for those with work permits, the standard operating procedures (SOPs) introduced for PCA suit them well. So I guess we will keep improving when it comes to procedures, ”he added.
The PCA allows Singaporean and Malaysian citizens or permanent residents (PRs) holding long-term immigration passes for business and work purposes in the other country to enter that country for work.
Meanwhile, the RGL is intended for residents of Malaysia and Singapore who wish to take short trips of up to 14 days, for essential business and official reasons.
During the interview, Hasni also expressed hope that the existing schemes will eventually pave the way for the full reopening of the borders once the COVID-19 situation improves.
“I think the rate of compliance with standard operating procedures will ultimately decide how we move forward,” Hasni said.
He noted that factors such as testing procedures and inspection processes will need to be resolved before Singapore and Malaysia hope to reopen the border for travelers.
People who had just arrived in Singapore from Johor, Malaysia, walking to a rented bus at Woodlands Checkpoint on August 17, 2020 (Photo: Try Sutrisno Foo).
READ: IN FOCUS – How COVID-19 has disrupted close ties between Singapore and Johor
JOHOR PROPOSED PROTOCOLS FOR THE NEW DAILY DRIVING SCHEME
During the interview, Mr. Hasni was also asked to comment on a third scheme that the Johor state government had reportedly proposed: the Daily Travel Agreement (DCA).
He explained that the proposed scheme would allow up to 30,000 travelers per day.
To facilitate this, he said that the state government, for example, would issue travel passes every 10 days, and travelers could use the passes to cross the border around three times within that period.
In addition, he said that the state government has suggested the use of nine accredited laboratories capable of conducting COVID-19 tests for travelers and will invite local health professionals to intensify testing and detection procedures.
The Benut State Assemblyman explained that this plan will be useful for both students and Malaysians employed in Singapore who need to come and go every day.
“Now, we have started with RGL and PCA. Perhaps DCA is something that the state will never stop pushing the federal government to come up with SOPs for more categories of travelers to move forward, ”Hasni said.
“We have proposed, we have taken the necessary measures so that the federal government and also the Ministry of Health of Singapore sit down and evaluate our proposal,” he added.
A view of the Woodlands Causeway between Singapore and Malaysia after Malaysia imposed a travel ban due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak on March 18, 2020. REUTERS / Edgar Su
READ: ‘Far Beyond My Budget’: Malaysians Entering Singapore to Work Under PCA Struggle to Find Rental Options
The prime minister said the scheme will be a boost to Johor’s economy, which has been badly hit by COVID-19.
Before the border restrictions were implemented in March, around 300,000 Malaysians crossed the border daily to work. The restrictions have put many of them out of work.
Hasni added that he has urged Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, via video conference during a meeting of the national security council earlier this week, to consider the DCA proposal put forward by the Johor state government.
“I took the opportunity to point out to the Prime Minister that Johor needs an urgent decision, an early decision, from the federal government. The Prime Minister has assured the State of Johor that the special committee will meet on this DCA application and that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will participate and coordinate to accelerate the DCA category for travelers (once approved), ”said Mr. Hasni.
However, the prime minister acknowledged that possible factors that could influence the committee’s decision would be the recent increase in the number of COVID-19 cases across the country, with new groups forming every day.
READ: COVID-19: Johor to Present Plan to Malaysian Government on Reopening of Malaysia-Singapore Border, Prime Minister Says
Malaysia is dealing with a third wave of the pandemic. This week, the number of new COVID-19 cases on most days has exceeded 1,000. There are now more than 53,000 cases across the country.
On Friday, the Singapore government said it will impose a 14-day stay-at-home notice period in the dedicated facilities for all travelers entering Malaysia, including those on RGL or PCA.
Johor has not been immune to the spread of the coronavirus in recent weeks.
On Thursday and Friday, two new groups were detected in the southern state: Kiambang and Makmur, respectively.
However, Hasni maintained during the interview that the positive cases in Johor have been located in specific areas.
On Friday, the federal government announced that the conditional movement control order (CMCO) will be lifted in four states (Johor, Kedah, Melaka and Terengganu), with the exception of some districts.
In a statement following the federal announcement, Hasni welcomed the decision, saying the announcement “brought relief” to many Johoreans.
“Although the CMCO rises from tomorrow, I would like to advise all Johoreans to always adhere to the SOP in all their daily activities,” he said.
“Remember that the pandemic is still ongoing until a vaccine or medicinal cure is found. Therefore, together we are working to slow the spread of COVID-19,” Hasni added.
During the interview with CNA, Hasni said he was confident that the recent increase in cases would not affect the possible implementation of the DCA.
He said that although there were certain areas with higher concentration of positive cases, he was optimistic that the areas would be confined and managed effectively, as has been done for previous conglomerates in the state.
“Whatever assistance was required, everyone was happy, and finally, in a short amount of time, we were able to get back to RMCO,” said Mr. Hasni.
“I guess when everyone is satisfied with the current SOPs, I don’t see why the DCA needs to be delayed,” he added.
Tune in to CNA on Monday morning starting at 7am to see more of what the Chief Minister has to say about Johor’s economy and cooperation with Singapore.
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