Johor asks Federal government to continue green lane initiative with Singapore

Its Menteri Besar, Datuk Hasni Mohammad, said it was to enable economic development including industries and investments in Johor to continue while facing the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the proposal had been submitted to the Federal government and he was informed by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin that the matter would be brought to the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

"With the understanding of RGL, it will be able to help the industry and investment of neighbouring countries that have interests in Johor. So, we hope that the Federal government will allow the industry and other parties that use this RGL to continue.

"Although Singapore is suspending RGL to curb the spread of COVID-19, I believe (on the part of Malaysia) we do not need any amendments (if we want to continue). For that reason, Johor recommends that the RGL facility be continued," he said during a virtual press conference with RGL-related media practitioners.

Hasni explained that Singapore has suspended the RGL journey which means that previously authorised national travellers can no longer enter the republic. , However, he said if Malaysia continued, the party with the permission from Singapore could still enter Malaysia to continue investment activities and so on.

The RGL initiative was implemented by both countries on August 10 last year which allows cross-border travel for travellers who want to conduct business or for official purposes.

However, the Singapore government has suspended cross-border conditions under the RGL with several countries including Malaysia following the increase in COVID-19 cases worldwide.