JOHOR BARU: The state government is confident that its border with Singapore can be reopened by this year, says an executive councillor.

       “We are optimistic that the Causeway and Second Link can be reopened sooner than later, but this is subject to the Singapore government’s approval as well,” said Datuk Mohd Izhar Ahmad.

       Mohd Izhar, who is state Investment, Cooperatives, Entrepreneurship Development and Human Resources Committee chairman, said many lives and businesses were badly impacted by the border closure.

       He added that the state government would be pushing to have the border reopened to facilitate the opening of the Johor Economic, Trade and Cultural Office in Singapore soon.

       The Larkin assemblyman said it was one of the priorities of the state government under the leadership of Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad to rejuvenate Johor’s economy.

       “We have a very strong reason because the state will be getting additional vaccine doses from the Federal Government to meet our target of achieving herd immunity within the next couple of months,” he said.

       Last week, Hasni said the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry would be giving an additional 300,000 doses, bringing the total to 1.24 million doses.

       He added that with the additional doses, the state would be able to administer 50,000 jabs per day and start its own vaccination programme called ImmuPlan Johor Initiative soon.

       The move is expected to assist Johor in achieving its goal of vaccinating 80% of its population by October.