ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Health Ministry will present its recommendations on the standard operating procedures (SOP) for the reopening of the country's borders to the Cabinet next month.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the ministry has been given two to three weeks to prepare the recommendations.
"There have been various suggestions from different parties about the opening of the country's borders.
"There are some who want the borders to be opened without any restrictions, but there are others who want the government to wait and continue with the current interventions and strict SOP.
"We want to find a balance since opening the borders would help with the recovery of the country's economy, while at the same time, we need to ensure the safety and health of the rakyat.
"The ministry will present their recommendations before we make a decision on whether to fully open the borders or to impose restrictions on certain countries," he said.
He said once the recommendations have been presented, a special meeting of the National Security Council will be held to discuss the matter.
Ismail Sabri was speaking to the media after launching the Malaysian Family (Keluarga Malaysia) Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Programme organised by the Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry here today.
Also present were its Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar and caretaker Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad.
Recently, the National Recovery Council had suggested the government reopen the borders on March 1.
It's chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had said the opening of the country's borders was important in helping with the country's economic recovery, especially in the tourism sector.
When asked if the government plans to open a special lane for Malaysians living in Singapore to return for next month's Johor election, Ismail Sabri said it depended on the current regulations in the republic.
"If possible, we want our citizens to return because in terms of democracy, they have the right to vote, but they are living in Singapore. So, they have to comply with the rules there," he said.
The prime minister also said the government would wait for the Election Commission to come up with the SOP for the state election.
"The EC is an independent body so the government will not interfere in the matter. We just have to wait for them to announce the SOP.
"I'm sure they will refer with the Health Ministry before making any announcement," he said.