Harapan Southern Johor candidates call for S'pore border to reopen soon

JOHOR POLLS | Harapan candidates for six seats in Southern Johor have called for an immediate reopening of the border with Singapore, citing long-drawn impact to Johoreans and the state's economy.

Many local businesses in Johor, from neighbourhood retailers, hawkers, transport operators to larger establishments, are highly reliant on visitors from Singapore, aside from Malaysians earning an income by working on the island.

The candidates from Amanah, DAP and their ally Muda spoke in a joint press conference at a hawker centre in N45 Stulang where Harapan incumbent Andrew Chen Kah Eng is contesting to defend his seat.

Chen said border issues with Singapore had been an issue for commuting Johoreans since the Covid-19 pandemic started two years ago, without clear commitments from the government to address related issues affecting Johoreans.

"We are asking the state government to pressure the federal government into negotiations with Singapore towards reaching a decision on border reopening soon," he said.

Chen said in the meantime, both governments should expedite the expansion of the quarantine free Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) land arrangement to private vehicles, including cars and motorcycles, beyond the current permission given only to travellers on public buses.

Border closure limits job opportunities

Amanah's incumbent and candidate for N49 Kota Iskandar, Dr Dzulkelfly Ahmad, cited economic ties between Johor and Singapore that affects not only voters in Southern Johor but across the state.

"Reopening the border will increase property purchases in Johor.

"Johor has the highest property oversupply in the country [...] Investors from Singapore are among the top buyers of property in Johor," he said.

Kota Iskandar, Stulang and its surrounding areas are among the closest to the causeway with direct views to Singapore from the local high rise buildings.

Dzulkelfly said previously the Malaysia My Second Home programme for expatriates saw a 42 percent takeup of properties in Johor, largely by Singaporeans now facing restrictions due to prolonged border closure.

In terms of tourist arrivals to Johor, Muda's candidate for Puteri Wangsa Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz said border closures had caused a trickle effect affecting both hotel owners and its workers.

She also said fresh graduates faced with limited job opportunities in Johor were struggling with the border closure, with no option to commute for work in Singapore.

"There are among those who previously commuted to Singapore forced to find rentals on the island, with a very high living cost," she said.

'Willing to set aside political differences'

Overall, Johor DAP chief Liew Chin Tong, who is also a candidate for N46 Perling, said Malaysia could take the lead to make a decision on the border reopening and state its stand to Singapore.

"Our proposal is simple, to test and release. Individuals who have been tested negative can be permitted entry without quarantine," he said.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, who was campaigning for the Harapan candidates, said his party is willing to set aside any political differences for a common solution to the issues.

"Just announce the border reopening soon," he said.

Meanwhile, on the issue of the rising cost of living, Lim dismissed a reported remark by deputy domestic trade and consumer affairs minister Rosol Wahid, that prices will not be further affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"It is illogical to say that prices will not increase. If global supply is limited due to sanctions, all prices will be affected," he said.

Others present include DAP's candidates for N42 Johor Jaya Liow Chai Tung and N48 Skudai Marina Ibrahim.

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