During the Parliament session yesterday (23 September), the Foreign Minister, Saifuddin Abdullah has revealed the government’s plans to reopen the borders between Malaysian and Singapore.
According to FMT, Saifuddin said the Health Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin has spoken to his Singapore counterpart, Ong Ye Kung on reopening travel between the two nations but is still in the planning stage.
“I understand that the health minister had discussions recently with his Singapore counterpart via phone on a proposal to reopen the border between Singapore and Malaysia.”
“I hope this matter can be resolved soon because both countries need the border reopening.” he said in his winding-up speech on the King’s address yesterday (23 September).
Meanwhile, Saifuddin said if the proposal is being accepted by both governments, Malaysia can explore the idea of reopening our borders with other countries, such as Thailand.
On the other hand, Muar Member of Parliament, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman also urged the government to show some empathy toward families and couples who had been separated since the pandemic struck.
Syed Saddiq said the immigration department’s MyTravelPass system was too bureaucratic, adding that some couples were going through mental health issues while others were even contemplating divorce.
Saifuddin replied that he understands and sympathised couples who had gone through the painful lockdown and he said the matter had been raised at the Covid-19 Ministerial Quartet meeting chaired by senior minister for security Hishammuddin Hussein.
“I understand… because some of them have been separated from their loved ones since the pandemic struck. I will see how we can overcome this problem.” Saifuddin said.
, the Foreign Minister, Saifuddin Abdullah has revealed the government's plans to reopen the borders between Malaysian and Singapore.){kind=link}