The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has released a press statement earlier today announcing that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong discussed the issue of reopening the border with Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassini through a telephone call on Friday.
Both parties have agreed to allow cross-border travel for certain groups of people, such as long-term immigration pass for business and work holders.
The two leaders agreed to establish (for different groups of travellers) a Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA), which allow Singapore and Malaysia residents who hold long-term immigration passes for business and work purposes in the other country to periodically return to their home countries for short-term home leave. As well as a Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL), which facilitates cross border travel for essential business and official purposes.
Needless to day, travellers would have to adhere to a set of COVID-19 prevention and public health measures.
The Ministry also added that measures are being discussed and will have to be mutually agreed upon by both countries.
Both Prime Ministers have also agreed that any arrangements between the two nations would have to agree on public health protocols to preserve the health and safety of both Singaporeans and Malaysians.
The Ministry also mentions that Mr Lee and Mr Muhyiddin have instructed their officials to “work expeditiously” on the operational details of the RGL and PCA.
Officials from both sides will also continue discussions on other proposals to gradually facilitate more cross-border movement of people, to ensure a stable recovery by both Singapore and Malaysia from the COVID-19 situation, the ministry added.