M'sia to open borders to S'pore & Brunei if they reciprocate: M'sian Senior Minister

Malaysia has also approved foreign nationals with employment passes from Covid-19 'green zones' to enter without having to quarantine for 14 days.

Julia Yeo | June 19, 2020, 05:24 PM

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Malaysia's Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob said to media on June 19 that the country was in talks with Singapore to open borders for both countries.

M'sia agrees to open borders for S'pore on the condition that it is reciprocal

Malaysia's health ministry confirmed that Singapore and Brunei are considered green zone countries, the minister said, reported Malaysiakini.

The Malaysian government has agreed in-principle to allow citizens from both the countries to enter Malaysia, on the condition that it is reciprocal.

"We are opening our borders to Singapore and Brunei, but we are also asking them to reciprocate and open their borders to us. The secretaries-general of the respective foreign ministries are meeting to discuss this," Ismail said.

"The decision will now depend on the outcome of the talks on our proposal. We will wait and see."

Foreign nationals with employment pass from Covid-19 green zone countries can enter M'sia without quarantine

Additionally, Malaysia's government has also approved for foreign nationals under the Employment Pass 1 (EP1) category to enter Malaysia, if they are entering from Covid-19 green zone countries.

Foreigners with EP1 are classified under applicants that earn a basic minimum monthly salary of RM 10,000 (S$3,259) and have an employment contract valid for a minimum of 12 months.

They will need to undergo screening for Covid-19 in their home country before departing for Malaysia, or undergo screening as soon as they arrive in Malaysia.

However, they will not need to quarantine themselves if they are entering from Covid-19 green zone countries.

Top image via Andrew Koay