JOHOR BARU: Johor will be included in the technical committee to discuss the border reopening with Singapore, says Datuk Hasni Mohammad (pic).

       The Mentri Besar said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaacob, who was on a one-day official visit to the state here on Saturday (Sept 25), had agreed to this.

       "The Prime Minister has agreed that Johor should be directly involved not only in the issue of border opening, but also the standard operating procedures (SOPs) required in relation to cross-border movement.

       "Among the issues that need the state government's assistance include obtaining a list of Malaysians who work and have been vaccinated in Singapore but this has not been updated with MySejahtera," he said after Ismail Sabri chaired a closed-door meeting with state government officials and Johor Umno leaders at a hotel here on Saturday.

       He added other issues that require the state government's assistance include the movement of lorries carrying supplies to Singapore and lorry drivers who have to carry out rapid Covid-19 tests.

       Hasni also said they had to discuss the SOP with Singapore as the island republic was experiencing an increase in Covid-19 cases.

       Among the SOPs submitted by the state government include the recognition of vaccine certificates, the type of screening needed as well as the system that needs to be agreed on by both countries.

       "This SOP was discussed during the meeting earlier and I hope it will be tabled as soon as possible," he said.

       During the state assembly sitting earlier this month, Hasni said the state government should be directly involved in any efforts related to the reopening of the Johor-Singapore border.

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