JOHOR BARU: Businesses in Johor Baru are slowly reaping the benefits of economic recovery since the reopening of borders on April 1, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

       The Transport Minister said business in Johor Baru was very good and visitors had to stand in long queues to buy food.

       “Shopkeepers admitted that they were more willing to see busy traffic conditions as compared to the quiet situation during the movement control order period, which caused them to incur a lot of losses.

       “The economic recovery is increasingly being felt by traders in Johor Baru since the reopening of the border on April 1,” he said in a Facebook post on Sunday (April 24).

       The MCA president added that he also had the opportunity to interact with young people there.

       “They are Malaysians working in Singapore and just returned after being 'stranded' in the republic for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

       “They said they missed their families as well as the good food in Johor Baru.

       “For the past two days, shopping malls in Johor have been crowded with locals and visitors from Singapore.

       “Many people are here to do their shopping in conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri,” he said after having breakfast with Johor exco member Ling Tian Soon at a coffee shop in Jalan Tan Hiok Nee here.

       Dr Wee pointed out that traffic was also getting busier and more congested.

       “Traveling by car for a distance of less than 30km within Johor Baru takes more than an hour.

       “Residents welcome (domestic) visitors as well as from Singapore.

       “The busy situation shows that economic growth in Johor is vibrant,” he added.