Reopening border with Malaysia: Singapore wants 'step by step' approach

KUALA LUMPUR (June 24): Singapore would prefer a "step by step approach" to reopening the border with Malaysia, the republic’s Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan revealed today.

This should include measures such as Covid-19 tests and contact tracing, reported Channel News Asia (CNA).

"I do not see it possible to have a big bang complete, no holds barred, no restrictions, no tests (approach) - I think that would be unwise," Dr Balakrishnan told the Singapore-based broadcaster.

"But we can open up in steps, have the appropriate measures to test people, contact trace people because when you open up, your risk (of infection) will inevitably increase."

The minister also did not want “to put a timeline” on when travel between Singapore and Malaysia can flow freely again, saying “many details” have to be worked out.

"We have to work out those protocols and to make sure those protocols are effective on both sides of the Causeway. So just give us a few, I would say, days to weeks," said Dr Balakrishnan.

“We need to protect the public health of both Singapore and Malaysia, and we need to understand that the world’s busiest land crossing is between Johor and Singapore ... so we have to work out a lot of details,” he added.

On Monday, the Health Ministry announced that discussions with six countries identified as “green zones” that Malaysia may open its borders to are in the preliminary stages.

The six countries are Singapore, Brunei, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea.

Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said that any agreement between the countries must be “mutual and reciprocal”.

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