MUHYIDDIN Yassin (Pagoh-PN) said he is still awaiting the government’s decision on when it wants to reopen international borders.

The former prime minister said he has yet to receive a reason why the move is still on hold.

“I see no reason why the move to reopen borders should be delayed, when other countries whose vaccination programmes are not as great as ours have already done so,” he said, during the debate on the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat today.

The National Recovery Council chairman previously proposed that the full reopening of borders be implemented from early March.

This is in compliance with standard operating procedures set by the Health Ministry, so the tourism and trade industries and related economic sectors can be revived, he added.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob last week said the government will reopen borders before Hari Raya Aidilfitri in May and ease the process of travelling, especially for those residing overseas.

Omicron has delayed the plan to move the country into the endemic stage, subsequently delaying the process of reopening borders, he added.

“We almost announced that Malaysia has entered the endemic stage, but the Omicron variant, which is a superspreader, was detected in December.

“Omicron is not as bad as Delta. It may spread rapidly, but it is not as dangerous as Delta.”

Muhyiddin said thanks to efforts initiated by the government, most sectors have already reopened.

“The success of the vaccination drive, followed by economic and financial assistance and reopening of almost all economic sectors under the National Recovery Plan has enabled the economy to grow and income, increase.

“In terms of health, although Covid-19 cases are still high due to Omicron, more than 90% of the population are vaccinated and 60% have received boosters under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.”

Research data also indicates that the economic recovery is getting stronger, he added.

“In terms of investment, Malaysia has attracted more than RM220 billion in investments for the manufacturing and services sectors, which have been approved last year.” – March 7, 2022.