S’pore PR Who Are Malaysians Can Apply Leave to Go M’sia for CNY

By
Boon Hun
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Are you a Singaporean permanent resident working in Singapore? Do you wish that there was some way you can return home in time for the yearly festivities without affecting your career?

Well, you might or might not have asked but the authorities have spoken: Wish granted.

S’pore PR Who Are Malaysians Can Apply Leave to Go M’sia for CNY

On 8 Jan 2021, the High Commission of Malaysia in Singapore announced that the Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) between Malaysia and Singapore will be expanded to include Singapore Malaysian PRs working in Singapore.

From next Monday, 11 Jan, Singapore PRs who are Malaysians will be able to apply for the PCA scheme to return home for CNY, before making their way back to Singapore again.

Previously, they have to be sponsored by their employers under the scheme.

When these PRs return to Singapore, they’ll have to serve a 14-day Stay-Home-Notice (SHN) at a dedicated facility.

It wasn’t immediately made clear if the daily quota of 2,000 still applies.

People who apply for the PCA, however, will have to pay for the SHN accommodations, the swab test and, if necessary, the required medical treatment.

Currently, Singapore has two different travel arrangements with Malaysia.

The Periodic Commuting Arrangement

Under the PCA, Singapore and Malaysia residents who hold long-term immigration passes for business and work purposes in the other country will be allowed to enter that country for work.

If you are crossing the border, however, you’ll have to remain in your destination country for 90 days before returning home for a short while.

Travellers will have to enter either country via the two land checkpoints – at Woodlands or Tuas.

The Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL)

The RGL sounds like a magical new travel arrangement where residents of both sides can gleefully skip over the border any time they like, but, unfortunately, it’s only for essential business and official travel.

Unfortunately, buying a banana cake from Hiap Joo Bakery doesn’t come under this category.

Unlike the PCA, travellers won’t have to spend an eternity in their destination country, as this arrangement is for shorter-term travel of up to 14 days.

You’ll have to apply for a SafeTravel Pass, without which you’ll be denied entry in your destination country.

According to CNA, this pass must be sponsored by a Singapore-based company or a government agency.

You will also be required to take two Covid-19 tests. The first must be within 72 hours from departure. A certificate of having tested negative from an accredited laboratory must be presented upon arrival.

And after proving you have tested negative, you’ll have to take another test in your destination country, and you must stay in your declared accommodation until the results are out.

If you’re declared Covid-19-free after jumping through these thousand hoops,  you can finally continue on your pre-declared controlled itinerary.

What About Daily Commutes?

For this, it probably won’t come too quickly.

Malaysia’s Covid-19 situation has escalated again and Singapore has amended the days of SHN required from 7 to 14 days (again).

On Thursday (7 Jan), Malaysia reported 3,027 new Covid-19 cases, it’s highest daily number thus far.

It was warned that if the transmission isn’t curbed, it could increase to 8,000 per day by Mar 2021.

Guess we have to wait a bit longer before we can go to JB for cheap shopping and eating again.

Don’t worry, they miss us as much as we miss them.

Feature Image: nashriq mohd / Shutterstock.com

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Boon Hun
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