Singapore is prepared to work with Malaysia to resume cross-border travel between the two countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) announced on Monday, June 8.

Prepared to address needs of Malaysian workers

According to its statement, the ministry said Singapore is ready to address the needs of cross-border travellers, including short-term business and official travellers.

The plan includes Malaysian workers who were previously commuting between both countries as well.

Such proposed arrangements would have to include "mutually agreed public health protocols" to allow the safe resumption of cross-border movement, MFA said.

Both countries will require some time to work out the details and this will also depend on the Covid-19 situation in Malaysia and Singapore, the ministry added.

Lastly, MFA said that in the meantime, Singapore will continue with practical measures to enable Malaysians to continue working in Singapore.

Measures have to be in place before resumption of safe travel: Lawrence Wong

National Development Minister Lawrence Wong was responding to media queries on Monday, June 8.

When asked about Malaysia's announcement that both countries are having talks to allow Malaysian workers in Johor Bahru to commute back and forth from Singapore, he confirmed that such negotiations are part of ongoing discussions, CNA reported.

He said while Singapore will "welcome these travellers", and that both countries want to see travel resume, it has to be done in "a safe way".

This means having safety measures, safeguards and precautions in place to ensure the resumption of safe travel between the two countries, Wong elaborated, adding that travel activity is not going to be back at where it was before the Circuit Breaker or before the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

Malaysian Senior Minister (Security Cluster) and Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob had said earlier in the day that a special ministerial meeting has allowed Malaysian workers to return to work in Singapore, provided that Malaysians download the MySejahtera app for contact tracing purposes.

He added that the country is ready for Malaysians to undergo Covid-19 screening.

However, he said the move will only be implemented after discussions take place between Malaysian Foreign Ministry secretary-general M. Shahrul Ikram Yaakob and his SIngaporean counterpart.

Top image by Nigel Chua