Malaysians working in Singapore may soon be allowed to resume commuting to and from Johor Baru, New Straits Times reported on June 8.

This resumption follows Singapore's decision to reopen its economy after weeks of lockdown, Malaysia Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Ismail Sabri Yaakob said at a press conference on June 8.

"There were suggestions to allow those working in Singapore to commute between the country and Johor Baru, provided they download the MySejahtera app."

"Currently, they are unable to do so due to the border closure and the 14-day mandatory quarantine requirement for those returning to Malaysia."

"However, as Singapore's economic sector has reopened, a special ministerial meeting has agreed to allow this, and we are ready for them (Malaysians) to undergo Covid-19 screening and tests."

"We are grateful to the Sultan Ibrahim Foundation as well as Temasek and Thomson Medical Group, which have agreed to provide two mobile labs and Covid-19 test kits."

Implementation will have to wait until after discssions

However, Ismail Sabri said discussions between Foreign Ministry secretary-general M. Shahrul Ikram Yaakob and his Singaporean counterpart would have to take place first before any implementation takes place.

He also encouraged Malaysians to download the MySejahtera app for contact tracing purposes.

Those who have downloaded the app will have RM50 (S$16.30) credited to their e-wallet, as announced by Malaysia Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

This would allow the Health Ministry to take swift action in identifying close contacts whenever new Covid-19 cases are reported, Ismail Sabri said.

"They can use the app whenever they enter any premises by scanning the QR code, instead of writing their names (as a requirement to enter) as many people have refused to do so," he added.

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