PEKAN: As the plan to establish a "travel bubble" between Malaysia and Singapore gains traction, a final say on the matter would only be made after issues pertaining to its intricate procedures had been ironed out.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the move to reopen the two countries' common borders would have to be agreed by both nations before the procedures involved are announced.
He explained that Wisma Putra would need to engage with the Malaysian health as well as the Economic ministries on the proposal of resuming movement of people between both countries.
"However, we need to initiate discussion from now onwards and not wait for the situation to further improve as it might be a little too late.
"We have begun talks with Singapore and it largely depends on who are the target groups or sectors. The focus groups include businessmen estimated, around 500 people, some 20,000 Malaysians who are now in Singapore (yet to return to Malaysia) and those who commute daily to work in Singapore," he said.
Hishammuddin told this to reporters after visiting the Kampung Gumum Orang Asli settlement in Chini, here, today.
The Foreign Minister said he will also engage with his counterpart from across the causeway, Vivian Balakrishnan either on Monday or Tuesday on the step by step approach and required procedures to work towards reopening their borders.
Meanwhile, he said it was vital to ensure that residents from both countries understand the decision to reopen the border taken by both Malaysia and Singapore, and that it will not affect the safety and well-being of the people.
"The decision will be done responsibly without jeopardising the safety of the people in both countries. This is part of the post-Covid-19 preparations and I believe there is no harm for us to plan early, if not us (Malaysia), I am sure other countries will do it, so why not we try to plan," he said.
On the mechanism, Hishamuddin said it will be handled by the Health Ministry, National Security Council and their Singapore counterparts.
"Discussions will be held between the economic ministers from both countries, comprising the finance ministers and identify the sectors which will be opened... there is quite a lot of work so let's not turn it into a polemic," he said.
On June 26, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, at the 36th Asean Summit, which was held virtually said Asean governments must formulate a cohesive plans to swiftly implement measures for "travel bubbles" between "green" Asean member states.
The term "travel bubble" or "travel corridor" refers to an agreement in which countries that have successfully contained the Covid-19 pandemic can open their borders to each other to allow free movement within the "bubble".