PUTRAJAYA JULY 1: The agreement to enter Malaysia and Singapore by citizens from both nations should be reviewed by the Foreign Ministers so that both parties will benefit reciprocally.
Security and Senior Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said, at the moment Singapore has not lessened the restrictions for Malaysians to enter and the people are still waiting for the opportunity to come.
“I hope the Foreign Ministers’ meeting will come up with a reciprocal agreement where many problems could be solved, leading to the opening of the border doors.
“The people want to move freely without restrictions and compulsory quarantine like before,” said Ismail in a press conference held here today.
Ismail was responding to a case where youth in the “Malaysia My Second Home” programme was sent back to Singapore recently.
Ismail said the youth need to prove that he has done a swab test and possesses a “fit to travel” certificate before entering Malaysia and added, “Maybe Singapore does not have that procedure.”
In another development, the Ministry of Higher Education will soon announce the standard operating standard (SOP) and the dates for the institutes of higher learning to resume its academic sessions.
According to Ismail, the special ministers’ meeting on the Movement Control Order (MCO) Implementation had agreed on the Ministry’s presentation on the SOPs for the local and international students to return to the campuses.
Meanwhile, the government had agreed with the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr. Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri to allow lectures and Dhuha prayers to be performed in the mosques and “surau” nationwide.
Ismail said, reading Quran class and “fardhu ain” are also allowed to be held in the mosques and “surau” provided social distancing is adhered to.
“All the sessions are allowed to commence this week. The permission is granted based on the SOP, the size and the capacity of the mosque and “surau”.
“The mosque and the “surau” are also allowed to organise mini-lecture before Friday prayers beginning July 3, depending on the SOP,” said Ismail. –Malaysia World News
