The borders between Malaysia and Singapore have finally opened!
We can now cross the border for some cheap shopping and delectable food!
Reader: Wait, you mean we can really travel to Malaysia for leisure purposes again?
Well, no. But didn’t it feel good to have things return to normal for just five seconds?
Reader: What the- why would you do that?
Because I want you to have some joy during this dark period of human existence, dear reader.
Reader: But I’m already at the checkpoint and I’ve called in sick to work.
Well, you should probably read our articles more often then.
Cross-border travel between Malaysia and Singapore kicked off on Monday (17 Aug), but only for official, business, and work purposes.
The only problem is that all the buses that used to ferry passengers across the border have not yet resumed their operations, which has led to this:
A Long Walk Across the Causeway
Those who wanted to travel across the border had to embark on a long journey along the Causeway, one that even Usain Bolt might have turned down.
According to The Straits Times, around 300 people had crossed the Malaysia-Singapore border in both directions by 10am on Monday, many of them lugging along large pieces of luggage.
The journey reportedly took between 1 and 2 hours, reported CNA.
One JB Bus Resumes Service
Feeling sorry for those who had to make the long journey on foot, Mohd Solihan Badri, chairman of the Johor Public Works, Transportation, and Infrastructure Committee put in a request for a bus service.
“We saw several groups of pedestrians carrying their bags on the Johor Causeway today. We sympathise (with their situation and) we will make a request to PAJ (Johor Public Transport Corporation) to provide bus services to the border of Singapore, with approval from the authorities”, he said.
Fortunately for travellers, his request was granted.
A bus service under the Johor Public Transport Corporation (PAJ) will now run between 7am and 7pm every day.
Its frequency, however, is unknown.
The bus will ferry travellers between the CIQ building and an area near the Singapore border, according to China Press.
However, Solihan said there’ll only be one bus providing such services for now.
Travel Allowed Only Under RGL & PCA Scheme
As previously mentioned, cross-border travel is only permitted for business, official, and work purposes, which falls under two schemes:
- the reciprocal green lane (RGL)
- the periodic commuting arrangement (PCA)
The RGL allows short-term travel for up to 14 days for essential business or official purposes.
Conversely, the PCA allows residents of both countries who hold long-term immigration passes for business and work purposes in the other country to enter that country for work.
So, when will we be able to cross the border for shopping and banana cake purposes? No one knows the answer to that question right now.
But with Covid-19 infections in both countries dwindling, we may not have to wait too long.
Here’s a simplified summary of the South Korea martial law that even a 5-year-old would understand:
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