Minister: SG-MY Cross-Border Arrangements Settled But Daily Commute Not Ready Yet

Back on 16 March 2020, when Malaysia PM Muhyiddin Yassin suddenly announced the partial lockdown that was supposed to last for two weeks in Malaysia, nobody would’ve expected that four months later, people are still stuck across the borders.

Back then, Malaysian workers who commute to Singapore daily had to make a choice: either to live in Singapore for two weeks or to go back to Malaysia for two weeks.

Whatever decision they made, they’re still stuck with this decision after four months, and there doesn’t to be an end yet.

Minister: SG-MY Cross-Border Travel Arrangements Settled But Daily Commute Not Ready Yet

This morning, the causeway was closed for more than two hours.

Not that it matters because the only living things crossing the causeway now are fishes beside the bridge. And I’m not the only one who thinks so:

The reason for the closure is for a bilateral meeting between the foreign ministers of Singapore and Malaysia.

It’s unknown why the causeway needs to be closed, and why the meeting cannot be done over Zoom; but shortly after that, we got to know more details about the cross-border travel arrangements.

And the short answer you’re dying to know is this: no, daily commute is still not ready.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, had met his Malaysia counterpart at the mid-way point of the causeway to discuss arrangements on the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA).

Kind of like how North Korea officials and South Korea officials meet at the DMZ’s Joint Security Area without the guns and Captain Ri Jeong-Hyeok

Dr Balakrishnan then updated reporters about the discussion in the Woodlands Immigration and Checkpoints Authority building, a building that’s now as empty as my wallet.

He said, “Both sides have settled the arrangements for the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL)  as well as for what we call the Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA), so all the details have been settled (and) applications will open on Aug 10, and in the next few days we will publish the operational details.”

The first, Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL), is for essential business and official matters. Unfortunately, buying a banana cake from Hiap Joo Bakery doesn’t come under this category. Individuals who are travelling via the RGL will have to undergo a swab test and submit an itinerary which must be kept to when they’re in that country.

The second category, Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA), is meant for long-term immigration pass-holders from both countries to return to their homes for a short period of time. So how does this work, and is this macam daily commute?

No.

So let’s say a Malaysian worker is working in NTUC Fairprice. He has to stay and work in Singapore for at least three months before he can return to Malaysia for short-term home leave. Then, he has to return to Singapore to work for another three months before he can go home again.

This morning, Dr Balakrishnan also gave an update about the daily commute that workers and businesses have been looking forward to.

He said that both countries are not ready for that, adding, “I would say, give us a couple of weeks to monitor the (COVID-19) figures, both in Malaysia, in particular Johor, and in Singapore. And as we gain greater confidence that the control of the pandemic is well-executed in both places, we can then begin the discussions for how we can allow daily commuting.”

Unlike the RCL and PCA which might see different travellers daily, daily commute means there would be an influx of travel between both countries daily by the same people, and that requires more planning, like the availability of mass-scale testing on both sides of the border.

Wait, does that mean a Malaysian who’s coming in to work in Singapore daily has to take a swab test every single day?

Nothing is revealed but Dr Balakrishnan said, “You must bear in mind that even with a daily commuting model, there’ll be a need for regular comprehensive testing on both sides.”

At this moment, the number of new cases in Singapore and Malaysia has remained consistently low; for Singapore, the number of daily community cases is about 10 or so, while in Malaysia, it’s about 15 or so.

In case you think it doesn’t affect you, think again: your favourite restaurant might’ve been slower in recent days because some of their Malaysian workers are stuck on the other side of the causeway. If the borders are open for daily commute, you can have your food earlier.

However, this daily commute that’s mentioned is only for work purposes.

As for weekend getaways to JB for bak kut teh, that would have to wait. In the latest multi-ministry task force press conference, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said that people in Singapore shouldn’t expect to be able to make short trips for weekend holidays in Malaysia anytime soon.

Mr Gan then added, “For those who are thinking about holidays, unfortunately I think we have to put off the idea for quite some time yet.”

So, moral of the story?

Nothing new, so we’re still waiting for Neo to come down with an anti-virus software.

In the meantime, you can download the TraceTogether app to help fight COVID-19. If you’re still worried about privacy, then watch this video (and also subscribe to our YouTube channel, please?):