MALAYSIA is waiting for Singapore to relax border controls for Malaysians as reciprocation of Putrajaya’s move to allow the republic’s citizens into Johor, said senior minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today.

Singapore has yet to ease its restrictions on entry for Malaysians, including the 250,000 who work there and are used to commuting between the two countries.

“We are still waiting for them to relax the restrictions to allow our citizens to enter Singapore,” the defence minister told the daily briefing on Malaysia’s recovery movement control order (RMCO) in Putrajaya today.

Malaysia, on the other hand, has allowed Singaporeans to enter the country, provided that they are free of Covid-19 and possess fit to travel certificate issued by the country’s authorities.

Singaporeans who enter Malaysia will not have to undergo quarantine for the coronavirus as long as they tested negative before they enter.

Ismail Sabri was responding to questions on reports about a teenage boy, who is a dependent of Malaysia My Second Home visa holder, being denied entry at the Johor Causeway and who was forced to walk back to Singapore. 

“We relaxed restrictions to allow their citizens in they should also relax the conditions and allow our citizens into their country.

“I hope this matter can be resolved quickly so we can open our borders to Singapore, and that people from both countries can travel between the two without restrictions.”

Ismail Sabri said Malaysia’s policy of allowing Singaporeans entry may be reviewed depending on the discussions between the two foreign affairs ministries. – July 1, 2020.