Daily Commute Between S’pore & M’sia Might Not Happen Until 2021

By
Zhi Hao
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Though we have long been pining for the Singapore-Malaysia borders to reopen, it seems that the highly-anticipated prospect may not occur anytime soon…

With the earliest date speculated to be January 2021.

This would surely come as a huge blow to all the homegrown and Malaysia-siao kakis in Singapore right now. Considering how it’s currently the first half of September, it would mean nearing 4 months of wait…

And that’s at the very least.

Daily Commute Between S’pore & M’sia Might Not Happen Until 2021

According to The Star, the health ministry is currently exploring the notion of reopening the Malaysia-Singapore border for daily commuters in January.

On Friday (11 September), Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba revealed that the recovery Movement Control Order (MCO) period over the next four months would prove vital for the nation, as it would determine whether the decision to fully open the border with Singapore is a possible one.

During this time, they will be skipping the trial-and-error approach in favour of a more systematic one, in areas such as border control, physical distancing and the use of personal protective equipment.

“We cannot use a trial-and-error approach,” he said.

Apparently, people’s livelihood, which had been affected by Covid-19, is among the considerations for whether to go ahead with the decision.

A balance between the economy and health, he states, is of the utmost importance.

“We must find a balance as both the economy and health are very important matters,” he said.

Support For The Reopening Of The Border

Meanwhile, the state government has expressed its support for the decision to reopen the border.

“Johor wants the border to be fully open for daily commuters and not just with the RGL and PCA,” said Chief Minister Hasni.

“Prior to RGL and PCA, there was already movement between the two countries, with Malaysia sending cargo containing medical and food supplies.”

Yes, that’s how we get our durians.

Thus far, the state was able to host more than 2,000 Covid-19 tests daily for those going to and fro Singapore under RGL and PCA.

Up till 31 August, 320 individuals have travelled to and fro Singapore under RGL, with another 8,270 under the PCA.

According to Dr Adham, the ministry was looking into doubling its capacity in swab tests for travellers under the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) plans.

Closed

Lest you’ve forgotten, on 18 March, the Malaysian government announced a nationwide partial lockdown that resulted in the closure of the border between Johor Bahru and Singapore.

And on 23 March, Singapore shut off its own borders, with few exemptions allowed to enter.

Since then, the border between both countries has remained closed until 17 August, when hundreds of Malaysians were allowed to return to their jobs in Singapore.

Because of this border closure, more than 35,000 Johor residents working in Singapore have lost their jobs.

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Zhi Hao
Email: [email protected]