Establish proper protocol for future closure of Johor-Singapore border

AT THIS time last year, Malaysia tossed a bombshell that was as far reaching as the capital control it unveiled in September 1998, at the height of the Asian Financial Crisis.

The 1998 measures stopped the free flow of the ringgit into and out of Malaysia, whereas the March 2020 Movement Control Order curtailed the movement of people in and out the country in a bid to contain the spread of Covid-19.

These unilateral decisions to stem a domestic crisis, both then and now, blindsided its closest neighbour and created chaos out of an already difficult situation, as thousands of Malaysians who commuted daily to work in Singapore were left in the lurch. Singaporeans and long-term residents who lived in Johor were also badly affected. At the time, Malaysia had about 500-odd Covid-19 cases, and Singapore, fewer than 250.

This is not to say Malaysia was wrong to close its borders from the outside world, as numerous countries have since done. Haste was understandable given the frightening speed at which the virus was spreading from Wuhan to the rest of the world.

But considering the close physical and economic link between Malaysia and Singapore, the curbs could have been smoothened at the highest level through a government-to-government consultation. In April 2003, when Malaysia imposed travel restrictions on visitors from China, Hong Kong and several other countries following the Sars outbreak, an exception was made for Singapore even though it was also hard hit. Then, the two countries established a technical working group to discuss areas of cooperation on the prevention and control of Sars. Borders were kept open, but on heightened alert.

Of course, this pandemic is different and its scale is such that border closure between the two countries was perhaps inevitable.

Still, official dialogues are important as they demonstrate not just cooperation but also consideration for the well-being of close neighbours. Closing borders may be quick to execute but reversing it is not easy if the affected party sees the action as motivated by the philosophy of each man for himself. To be sure, Malaysia is not seeking to reopen its borders with Singapore yet, despite pleas from the Johor government and state business groups to do so.

Closing the border has hit the Johor economy especially hard. In one fell swoop, it damaged the notion that Singaporeans can seamlessly live and play in Johor while commuting to Singapore for work to take advantage of the lower cost of living.

What do Singaporeans with weekend homes in Johor make of the year-long closure while their neglected properties deteriorate from a lack of habitation and maintenance?

Entire townships such as Forest City, Danga Bay and Medini in Iskandar Malaysia are predicated on the easy connectivity between Johor and Singapore. So too the Ibrahim International Business District that is rising in the city centre.

There is an urgent need to establish a permanent cross-border health protocol as Malaysia and Singapore will become even more intertwined come 2026, when the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link is up and running. Imagine having to mothball an entire mass transit system indefinitely for lack of foresight in planning for a future pandemic. Can either country afford the risk?