KOTA BARU: All border states must make the necessary preparations for the reopening of the country's borders which will be announced soon, said minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
"Many quarters have been waiting for this moment, including the state governments, the tourism sector and other industries.
"The ministries involved especially the Health Ministry have already decided on the standard operating procedures (SOP) that need to be applied by locals and travellers and are waiting for the prime minister to announce it.
"Our prime minister is expected to announce the date for the reopening of the country's borders soon," he said in a press conference after launching the Siti Khadijah wet market's Digital Transformation Programme today.
With the reopening of the country's borders, he said the government hoped to boost tourism and other sectors in Malaysia.
On another development, Mustapa who is also Jeli MP said the soaring world crude oil prices currently has seen an increase in the amount of subsidies the government has to bear.
However, he said the fuel price hikes due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine would also see a rise in prices of other goods.
"The current Russia-Ukraine conflict could see prices of other imported items such as corn and wheat also increasing.
"But the government will continue to monitor the situation from time to time," he said.
Mustapa said the rise in oil prices would also pose a challenge to the country's financial management.
"The increase (in oil prices) will increase revenue but some of the revenue will have to be channelled elsewhere.
"Estimates on this have not been made yet. At the moment it only depends on assumptions," he said.