ISKANDAR PUTERI: The state government should be directly involved in any efforts related to the reopening of the Johor-Singapore border here, says Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad.

       He said the reopening of the Johor-Singapore border is the key factor in the recovery of the state’s economy.

       "The opening of the border would help to spur the retail and tourism sectors as well as revive economic activities in Johor Baru and other nearby districts.

       "It will also revitalise the real estate sector, especially after the Federal Government carries out the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme.

       "As such, I hope that the state government could be directly involved in initiatives to reopen the border at the Johor Causeway and Second-Link.

       "State representatives should be included in the committee or secretariat that is carrying out this important initiative," he said in his winding-up speech during the state assembly sitting at Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar here on Tuesday (Sept 7).

       He added that among others, the special committee should also be involved in having a comprehensive discussion on the reopening of the border based on Covid-19 development.

       "We hope that movement across the border could be activated again soon with the suitable standard operating procedures in place.

       "If the pandemic is under control, we may also be able to discuss on implementing the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL), Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) and possibly Daily Commuting Arrangement (DCA) or a travel bubble through this special committee," he said.

       On another matter, Hasni said the state government would be setting up a special committee that would include the Opposition to discuss economic and social policies.

       "The special committee will also include deputy state secretaries and government agencies’ department chiefs. This is part of the state government’s initiative to improve involvement between state leaders from both the government and Oppositions," he said.

       He said other efforts include giving allocations to both Opposition and government assemblymen.

       "Such an initiative, which involves both the government and Opposition, should be continued on and not be a one-off initiative," he said.