Johor urges Putrajaya to reopen S’pore border
Johor has requested Putrajaya speed up the full reopening of the border with Singapore to revive the state’s economic activities, says Datuk Hasni Mohammad.
The Mentri Besar said he had discussed the matter with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who later requested Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob look into it.
“We are finding ways so that we can quickly reopen the border.
“The Prime Minister knows the importance of reopening the border and what the conditions and situation in Johor are right now,” he said at the Johor Islamic Religious Council zakat handing over ceremony here yesterday.
Hasni said the reopening of the border was also important as it contributed 50% of the Customs’ revenue to the country.
He added that to date over 35,000
Malaysians working in Singapore have lost their jobs due to the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It has also affected more than 250,000 Malaysians who travel daily between the two countries,” he said.
Malaysia closed its border with Singapore after the government implemented the movement control order on March 18 to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Both countries, however, reopened their border on Aug 17 under the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA).
RGL allows cross-border travel for essential business and official purposes for up to 400 people a week for stays of up to two weeks.
PCA allows residents of both countries with long-term immigration passes for business and work purposes in the other country, to enter that country for work, and is limited to 2,000 people a day.